ACTING Minister with the portfolio, Mr. Irfaan Ali strongly believes that Guyana has a tourism sector to build but can only do so with bold initiatives, strong thinking and working together. 

He said so at the start, last Thursday, of Tourism Awareness Month 2013 observance under the theme, ‘Communication and Information sharing for Tourism Development’.
Speaking at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal, he declared that it is a time for Guyanese to shift their thinking, with regards to the sector, to help raise the profile of local tourism.
He pointed out that the industry, currently, generates billions of dollars as well as provides jobs for approximately 10,000 people, adding that the quality of what is offered locally needs to be improved if it is to achieve greater heights.
Ali said that the launch of Tourism Awareness Month is a “bitter sweet” occasion, pointing out that the most recent figures from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) have praised Guyana for its advancement and cited an increase of 13.5 percent in visitors, adding that, although Guyana is in a good position within the tourism sector, “it is nowhere close to where it will be in three years from now.”
He emphasised that much more needs to be done and outlined several of the challenges facing the sector, stating that, while many Guyanese can celebrate their country’s tourism product, “we have to be clear about what we are offering”, especially in the area of eco-tourism.
International standard
Ali mentioned some of what is produced locally, such as honey made by the single parent women’s group attached to the Mangrove Project at Cove and John, East Coast Demerara, citing it as an example of what was possible to reach international standard and is available to meet any market.
He posited that human, cultural and service changes are needed to complement the infrastructural change occurring and, once this is achieved, the tourism sector could, actually, become a major livelihood option for many Guyanese.
Ali advised that persons respond to problems and not hide from them.
He lauded the efforts of Dr. Bobby Ramroop, who bought the ‘Amazon Warriors’ and sponsored the Guyana team at the recently held Caribbean Premier League (CPL) cricket tournament.
The minister said it shows what could be accomplished with forward thinking and good business intelligence.
He contended that, as a result of the Limacol Sponsorship of the CPL, the brand’s awareness has now been increased and businesses in India and other Asian countries are interested in what Guyana has to offer in goods, services and tourism.
Minister Ali pointed out that, while every country has issues, their media entities recognise the need to sell their individual countries and what they have to offer.
He criticised some sections of the local media for their sensationalist front pages, stating that other countries, which are affected by worse crimes, desist from doing the same.
He urged the Guyanese media to be more nationalistic and patriotic.
With regard to the hospitality industry, he maintained that the Marriott Hotel construction and the Cheddi Jagan Airport expansion projects are absolutely essential to offer better services and increase Guyana’s visibility in overseas markets.
Ali observed that the Diplomatic Corps can play a role in increasing Guyana’s outlook abroad and insisted that the tourism sector is poised for major expansion and mentioned some future plans.
He said they include the upcoming launch of a direct flight service to the United States on December 4; the establishment of a new golf course along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway; a five-star rated revolving restaurant; two more new hotels in Georgetown, and several eco-tourism resorts.
Ali said those investments represent about $32.5 billion in tourism, apart from the Marriot Hotel.
He said there is also more interest, by Latin and South American countries in the tourism sector and, in order to capitalise on these, there must be investments in human capital and on new and improved infrastructure for the tourism sector.
Joint effort
Ali also announced that a National Institute of Hospitality will be created in a joint effort between Government and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
He stated that, in Guyana, persons have to understand that the quality of services must improve and change and, most importantly, acknowledge that there is an actual problem.
He alluded to a group of overseas visitors who were at a “beautiful” local establishment which, with very poor quality service, served the customers with orders different to what they had wanted.
Ali said that incident also gives an idea of the level of infrastructure which is critical for tourism as against the human change which would bring about improvement.
He insisted that tourism awareness cannot be made in a room but what can be done in the room is a studied approach on how to improve it.
Ali said that a promise was made, last year, to target university student tourism as well as medical tourism and both are being fulfilled gradually as, only recently, two private investors were able to capitalise on services here, one of which is a brand new dental school.
He said Guyana has been receiving international publicity from producers who have shown interest in the country, such as Gold Rush, BBC and the History Channel etc.
He said, because of the Limacol CPL showcase, Bollywood is also interested and wants to film movies here, too.
Ali charged that Guyanese think too small and warned that no tourism sector can grow with negativity, remarking that it is too important and too critical to fail.
He added that, as minister, he is, ultimately, responsible for the sector and it cannot be run and understood in an office or suite as “our product is community based” and that is where its strengths and future lie.
Bold approach
He advised that it is unsafe to build an artificial tourism industry and recommended a bold approach as being more fruitful.
Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) executive member, Ms. Andrea De Caires, representing its President, Mr. Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento, reflected on her time in Guyana and pledged to work with the Government to improve and develop the sector.
She agreed that the theme for this year’s Tourism Awareness Month is, indeed, fitting.
De Caires said the sharing of information is very vital for tourism operators, as they are all associated with each other in some way or the other.
She pledged to work with Government and the GTA to develop the sector more.
The inaugural South Rupununi Savannah Safari was also promoted on the occasion and former Local Government Minister Harry Persaud Nokta, who conceptualised the Pakaraima Mountain Safari and was instrumental in hinterland development, said it is part of an effort to create a safari driving club.
He said it would open new horizons for participants and offer persons a chance to see things they have only dreamt of seeing and some things they may have never even imagined.
“Once you go once, you’ll want to go back,” he assured.
The promotion, which follows the successful Pakaraima Mountain Safari, will run from November 27 to December 1.
Its Coordinator, Mr. Frank Singh said it is open to drivers of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and participants, who have to pay a fee of $15,000 at Tower Hotel, will experience outdoor camping amidst majestic scenery.
He said the approximately 1,000 miles round trip from Georgetown to Achiwib, will see those taking part visiting at least 10 indigenous communities, the largest ranch in South America, lots of wildlife and the high point would be the Lethem Expo on November 30.

(By Savitri Laikram)