EXECUTIVE member of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Captain Gerry Gouveia, has asserted that the tourism sector is key to the development of Guyana.

Gouveia made this assertion during his address to the third National Competitiveness Forum which ended last Thursday at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal,Greater Georgetown.
He highlighted the key areas in the tourism sector that needs urgent attention from the government in collaboration with the private sector, which include: marketing, accessibility, the Guyana Tourism Authority, Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, Go- Invest, the hospitality school, safety and security, pricing and infrastructure among others.
In discussing each area with the various stakeholders, Gouveia pointed out that when it comes to the organisation of Go-Invest, they urgently need a chief executive officer (CEO) to run the entity so that they could go back to operating effectively. He went on to state that the CEO of that organisation would be given certain privileges from the President and therefore must have that command so that they could take Guyana to the next level, more so provide high-quality products and services to tourists.
During the talks he also urged that Guyana be branded with a TAG line. He said that the other Caribbean countries have their TAG line and the one that Guyana has presently needs to be reconstructed.
He noted that we have overused the Kaieteur Falls in order to attract tourists to the country, contending that Guyana has a lot more that we could use and highlight so that persons would visit this beautiful country of ours.
Gouveia added that the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport is crucial for Guyana’s tourism sector, and is urging all to come on board and support the project. He elaborated that having such an expanded and up-to-standard export will not only develop Guyana but also encourage more airlines to come on board to fly the Guyana route.
Following the conclusion of the forum, the Tourism Committee is to present an official report to President Donald Ramator and other stakeholders so that developments in this sector could begin to take shape and Guyana could continue to develop.