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AS we celebrate World Tourism Day, I would like to recognise the hard work of those persons in the public and private sectors who have diligently worked towards Guyana’s sustainable tourism development. Sustainable tourism is a growing concept which meshes seamlessly with the marketing brand ‘Guyana – The Amazon Adventure’ and focuses on the preservation of the natural environment whilst providing a unique and enjoyable vacation experience.
The theme for this year’s World Tourism Day, ‘Tourism and Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development’, has aptly coincided with the drive that Guyana has embarked upon with providing clean, green and renewable energy through the Amaila Falls Project, one of the projects funded through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and its resulting resources.
We strongly believe in a green economy and, as a small, developing nation, supports the call of our President Donald Ramotar at the recently concluded Rio+20 Summit where he noted that “sustainable development requires bold leadership” and that “goals alone are insufficient to achieve sustainable development”.
He insists that “inspiration is not enough” and that “we need vision to be translated into actions so that our planet’s natural capital and energy sources benefit all.”
Additionally, a number of our tour operators have been practising the concept of Sustainable Tourism and have been greatly rewarded with major recognition by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, an organisation of 32 member countries. For two consecutive years, Guyana has copped the Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award – Surama in 2011, Yupukari in 2012, the Biodiversity Award – Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project 2012, and the Community Benefit Award – Iwokrama Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development in 2012.
These achievements are certainly impressive when one considers that the nominations were open to all member countries and the differences in the dynamics of our respective tourism industries.
I would like to take this opportunity to encourage the tourism stakeholders to continue your hard work and push towards the sustainable development of this very important industry. I would also like to use this occasion to salute our discerning tourists for choosing ecologically friendly destinations such as Guyana.
As stated at the Rio+20 conference recently held, the Government of Guyana will pursue all available resources to integrate the economic, social and environmental strategies of sustainable development in the national policy framework.
There is tangible evidence of this commitment in the formation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and there are more plans to help streamline the industry to help us be more competitive.
I would like to assure you that we will continue to work towards sustainable development and the exploitation of sustainable energy resources to drive and guide national development.
The theme for this year’s World Tourism Day, ‘Tourism and Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development’, has aptly coincided with the drive that Guyana has embarked upon with providing clean, green and renewable energy through the Amaila Falls Project, one of the projects funded through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and its resulting resources.
We strongly believe in a green economy and, as a small, developing nation, supports the call of our President Donald Ramotar at the recently concluded Rio+20 Summit where he noted that “sustainable development requires bold leadership” and that “goals alone are insufficient to achieve sustainable development”.
He insists that “inspiration is not enough” and that “we need vision to be translated into actions so that our planet’s natural capital and energy sources benefit all.”
Additionally, a number of our tour operators have been practising the concept of Sustainable Tourism and have been greatly rewarded with major recognition by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, an organisation of 32 member countries. For two consecutive years, Guyana has copped the Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award – Surama in 2011, Yupukari in 2012, the Biodiversity Award – Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project 2012, and the Community Benefit Award – Iwokrama Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development in 2012.
These achievements are certainly impressive when one considers that the nominations were open to all member countries and the differences in the dynamics of our respective tourism industries.
I would like to take this opportunity to encourage the tourism stakeholders to continue your hard work and push towards the sustainable development of this very important industry. I would also like to use this occasion to salute our discerning tourists for choosing ecologically friendly destinations such as Guyana.
As stated at the Rio+20 conference recently held, the Government of Guyana will pursue all available resources to integrate the economic, social and environmental strategies of sustainable development in the national policy framework.
There is tangible evidence of this commitment in the formation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and there are more plans to help streamline the industry to help us be more competitive.
I would like to assure you that we will continue to work towards sustainable development and the exploitation of sustainable energy resources to drive and guide national development.
