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This is according to Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh who recently addressed the Tourism and Hospitality Association’s (THAG) New Year Social, held at the Herdmanston Lodge on Lamaha and New Garden Streets, Georgetown. The forum was held to celebrate THAG’s achievements for the year 2012 and plans for 2013.
“Despite challenges, notably the falling out of Red-Jet and EZ-Jet, the Tourism sector performed extremely well in 2012,” Haralsingh said.
Other challenges he cited during the reporting period were: A worldwide economic crisis; spiraling of food prices; instability; airline consolidation and bankruptcy; challenges with high fuel prices, and the concomitant high travel costs, making it difficult for our local people to explore the wonders of Guyana.
However, despite all the difficulties experienced, the sector was able to come out on top, and this, Haralsingh said, was largely due to the durability and resilience shown by the sector; and the collaboration, hard work, dedication and passion of the tour operators, travel agents and stakeholders in the travel industry, particularly between the public and private sectors.
He however credited the overall success to the collaboration between the GTA and THAG, which entities cannot be divorced from each other.
“I think 2012 has been a record year for collaboration and partnership between the Guyana Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Tourism and THAG, and we will continue to do that,” he assured.
Haralsingh also credited the timely move by Government in granting flag-carrier status to Caribbean Airlines, following the fallout with RedJet and EZ-Jet.
All things being equal, visitor arrivals in 2012 increased as follows: From the United States about 58%; Canada 15%; the Caribbean 21%. He also said the Government of Guyana is in discussion with existing airlines to also fly the New York and Toronto routes, to pick up the slack, following the fall out of EZ-Jet.
Achievements in 2012
In 2012 THAG attended a number of trade shows and intend s this year, to participate in a lot more this year, taking a representative from the private sector as well.
Mr. Kit Nascimento, Vice Chairman of THAG, noting that Guyana’s private sector is doing its best to put tourism on the map, said matters they would now like Government to address (apart from the garbage build up in and around the city) are: To support those investing in the tourist industry and to seriously promote Guyana as a tourism destination.
He made a case for a ‘really good destination city to be made, by the government, or with government’s money, and one serious network television channel in the ` USA,’ in order to promote Guyana internationally. He had kudos for the two magazines – ‘Explore Guyana’ and “Guyana Where and What’ produced by THAG, with a widespread distribution, and very effective in promoting Guyana internationally. Launched by the Minister of Tourism, Irfaan Ali a few months ago, Explore Guyana is now being used in schools locally. Both magazines are for free distribution, compliments of the business community.
Awareness
Responding to concerns raised by THAG Vice-Chairman, Kit Nasciomento, Haralsingh told of the coverage already being received by Guyana abroad including the BBC and CBS. They are now moving towards producing an entire season of ‘Gold Rush’ sold on the Discovery Channel. Gold Rush, he said, was rated the number two show on the Discovery Channel last year and has a reach of about 5 million households in the United States. He cited their tour of Adentureland and related talks with the New York Times; the Los Angeles Times Travel Show, on MSNBC. Both CBS and the BBC have signaled their interest in returning to Guyana.
‘Destination Guyana’ is now being sold by a number of international stores, under the recently concluded world travel market, with another 16 major tour companies wanting to sign on to sell documentary.
Additionally, this year, the Tourism Authority is hoping to invite major trade publications and major television networks to come to Guyana so that Guyana can be showcased as a tourist destination out there.
Plans for 2013
Mr. Haralsingh assured that this year, the Tourism Authority will continue to work closely with the private sector. He spoke of a needs analysis, soon to be done by GTA, as well as a business survey, for tour operators, as they continue working to take the sector to another level, and to make Guyana more competitive and ultimately, the destination of choice for the discerning traveler.
The GTA Director hinted to a proposal to bring approximately 100 travel agents to Guyana this year; plans for GTA to take a large group of tourists to on their trip to Suriname this year.
Additional Airport: He mentioned that the Ogle International Airport, to be opened up within the next three months, will be another huge plus for, not only for tourism, but for the development of Guyana generally. The Ogle International Airport will be receiving regional and international flights, both day and night.
The Marriot was also mentioned on the list of major investments coming Guyana’s way the development of Tourism in Guyana.
Assuring that the Tourism Authority will continue to work closely with the private sector, Haralsingh said the GTA is soon to do a needs analysis and send out a business survey, for tour operators, as they continue working to take the sector to another level, and make Guyana far more competitive and ultimately, the destination of choice for the discerning traveler.
He said, this year, the Tourism Authority is hoping to invite major trade publications and major television networks to come to Guyana so that Guyana can be showcased as a tourist destination out there.
Delighted that 2012 has been a record year for collaboration and partnership between the Guyana Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Tourism and THAG, Haralsingh said the partners will continue to look at ways and means of advancing tourism.
“I can tell you is that I am very, very optimistic that we can reach the record level of arrivals; that we can help to boost occupancy; that we can help to increase visitor expenditure when they come to Guyana;. that we can influence them to stay longer; that we can works towards increasing training and capacity building,” he concluded.
On behalf of the Honourable Minister of Tourism Authority, Irfaan Ali, the board of directors and staff, he wished THAG well and pledged to work more closely and in partnership.
