GUYANA is certainly making strides as a tourist destination, according to President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mr. Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento.

He noted in his address at the recently hosted Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Annual Awards Ceremony that the tourism industry has come a long way in a relatively short time, and has arrived at a point where the Government and the private sector share a common vision and common goal — that developing Guyana as a tourist destination is good for Guyana.

And while Guyana has been recognised as a birding destination, it has also succeeded in developing community and nature tourism, especially in the Rupununi, but also to a much lesser extent in the Essequibo River.

Mr. Nascimento explained that Guyana is, moreover, earning recognition as a yachting destination. He emphasised that, in the past three months, the country has been visited by twenty yachts, five of which are still in the country. Guyana has also hosted its first yachting rally, and has been approached by investors for permission to build a Marina and Dock Yard, which is still under consideration.

Nascimento lauded Guyana’s possession of a vast array of naturally pristine rainforests; savannahs; rivers; waterfalls; birdlife and flora; and exceptionally friendly and hospitable people; but he noted that in our quest for gold and other minerals to finance our economy, we are in danger of threatening the preservation of the very resources which sustain our tourist attraction.

Nascimento explained that while the Ministry of Natural Resources has already demonstrated its care for the environment, THAG is proposing that that Ministry joins the GGDMA and THAG to find a workable solution to the problems faced. He suggested the use of billions of dollars from the royalty and fees from mining paid to the GGDMC to repair the damage done by mining.

 Economic impact
Commenting on the issue of economic impact the tourism industry could have on Guyana, Nascimento explained that there is still need to identify the impact it should have on our economy, and there is still need to grasp the capacity a tourism industry has for job creation and economic growth.

He explained also that there is need to accept the value and benefits accruable to the state of Guyana if it were to seriously invest in promoting tourism, and added that while BBC and CNN reports in our region showcase Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and Caracas, there is no mention of Guyana as a tourism package.

Noting that this sends a distinct message to Guyana, Nascimento stressed the importance of meeting and overcoming significant challenges, so as to ensure our tourism product becomes an ultimate success.

Nascimento also indicated that absence of conveniently scheduled airlift and competitively priced airfares into Guyana from North America, UK and Europe can seriously affect development of the tourism sector, since visitors would find it too expensive to come here.

Urgings
Nascimento indicated that THAG continues to urge the Government to engage a study of tourism’s contribution to the GDP as a net foreign exchange earner, and to invest accordingly in its promotion and in the incentives necessary for the industry to be regionally competitive.

He said that THAG has identified and introduced to Government an experienced marketing consultant from the Caribbean with a proven track record to evaluate our marketing needs going forward, in order to lead an actionable marketing strategy and plan.

He said that tourism, perhaps more than any other industry, is a national enterprise; and since it is the private sector that takes the risks and invests in the delivery of our tourism product, that product must be ‘private sector driven’ and ‘public sector regulated’.

He expressed hope that Government would continuously partner with THAG in the national development of our tourism industry, in creating the climate for private investment to prosper, and in internationally marketing our country as a tourism destination. He said that, to date, this partnership has contributed in a major way to the success of the tourism industry.

Caribbean Tourism Organisation Communications Specialist, Mr. Johnson Johnrose, in addressing the audience, noted that excellent service in the tourism industry must become a norm.

He said there is need for great changes in Guyana’s tourism sector, and emphasised that the country’s future depends greatly on the success of the tourism industry. In conclusion, he urged all concerned to keep preserving the industry, so as to ensure a reliable and profitable tourism industry comes alive.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, in commending the awardees at the event, cited that much more work needs to be done in Guyana’s tourism sector.

He said that if Government intends to attain the desired prosperity, it has to build and conceptualise in certain economic areas, tourism being one of those.

The Prime Minister added that Government must move to develop the tourism industry with the same sense of urgency with which it has moved to develop an Aquatic Centre, a Specialty Hospital, the Marriot Hotel, and other initiatives.

He related that for the tourism industry to be successful, it requires a combined effort by all parties connected with the sector’s development and operations.
Written By Alex Wayne