Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity. In 2011, there were over 983 million international tourist arrivals worldwide, representing a growth of 4.6% when

compared to 940 million in 2010. International tourism receipts (the travel item of the balance of payments) grew to US$1.03 trillion (€740 billion) in 2011, corresponding to an increase in real terms of 3.8% from 2010. In 2011, international travel demand continued to recover from the losses resulting from the late-2000s recession, when tourism suffered a strong slowdown from the second half of 2008 through the end of 2009. After a 5% increase in the first half of 2008, growth in international tourist arrivals moved into negative territory in the second half of 2008, and ended up only 2% for the year, compared to a 7% increase in 2007. The negative trend intensified during 2009, exacerbated in some countries through the outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus, resulting in a worldwide decline of 4.2% in 2009 to 880 million international tourists’ arrivals, and a 5.7% decline in international tourism receipts.

Tourism is important, and in some cases, vital for many countries. It was recognised in the Manila Declaration on World Tourism of 1980 as “an activity essential to the life of nations, because of its direct effects on the social, cultural, educational and economic sectors of national societies and on their international relations.”[1][6] Tourism brings in large amounts of income in payments for goods and services available, accounting for 30% of the world’s exports of services, and 6% of overall exports of goods and services.[2] It also creates opportunities for employment in the service sector of  economies, associated with tourism.[3] These service industries include transportation services, such as airlines, cruise ships and taxicabs; hospitality services, such as accommodation, including hotels and resorts; and entertainment venues, such as amusement parks, casinos, shopping malls, music venues and theatres.(Source : Wikipedia)
Against this backdrop, the Guyana Tourism Association (GTA) and the Ministry of Tourism must be commended for a fine piece of innovativeness that will allow many persons the opportunity to visit our interior communities where the real beauty of our country lies. Reference here is being made to the introduction of a quiz competition at the recent Building Expo.
 It is a fact that many Guyanese because of the relative prohibitive cost cannot afford to visit the hinterland communities and therefore are deprived of the opportunity to view and appreciate the unique beauty of their own country. Hundreds of thousands of Guyanese have passed away without ever going beyond  the coastal villages and communities. It is a most unfortunate reality but we have to move swiftly, persistently and creatively to reverse this situation to where the overwhelming majority of Guyanese, if not all, are given an opportunity to visit the hinterland. By so doing internal tourism will be boosted and in tandem will help significantly to expand our budding local tourism industry, which has a huge potential which remains largely untapped. When fully tapped it could become among Guyana’s largest industries, if not the largest.
But tourism, especially internal tourism, apart from the tremendous economic benefits it could bring, will also help to instil a strong patriotic fervour and love of country which sadly is lacking in many of our people, particularly, in light of the strong penetration by North American culture through increasing electronic technology and migration.
 However, providing more of our peoples the opportunity to visit  hinterland communities will not only expose them to the natural beauty of Guyana-including our vast and unique flora and fauna, mountains, rainforests and mountains and rivers and creeks- it will also expose them to the diverse and unique culture and lifestyles of our indigenous peoples who were ruthlessly exploited and oppressed by our colonial masters for centuries.
 It would be hoped that during the upcoming Guyexpo, our premier trade show, presents another golden opportunity to come up with innovative ways to allow for visits to the hinterland by patrons attending the event.