by Rabindra Rooplall
UNDER the Hinterland Tourism Development plan dozens of residents from Orealla/Siparuta Village, the only indigenous community in Region 6, participated in a Tourism Development workshop, which was held in the community and which was facilitated by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) yesterday. The activity is part of the drive to develop the Berbice Tourism Circuit.The objectives of the one-day session were: to broadly define tourism with specific reference to the communities’ potential and current offerings; assess the residents’ readiness for the tourism-related development in their communities; identify the benefits of tourism; discuss challenges and issues; examine possible tourism enterprises; to conduct a training-needs assessment; and to elect a Tourism Committee to coordinate future initiatives and activities.
All of the participants, who came from the two adjoining communities on the Corentyne, were eager to learn how their small villages could benefit from tourism activities and they were also open to all the available possibilities for training and capacity-building.
While conducting the session, The GTA Director, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh stressed the importance of good leadership and collaboration and reminded those present that “everyone has a role to play” in the developmental process.
On charting the way forward, Mr. Haralsingh acknowledged that the communities possess valuable attributes which can be refined and marketed through a series of events including Fish Festivals, Heritage Day celebrations, Regattas, Pepper Pot festivals and Pineapple Festivals among others.
However, he emphasised that harnessing the existing potential will call for a clear action plan, proper time management, partnership and teamwork.
“Tourism is an investment. You need to ask yourselves if the community is ready to welcome investment in the area,” he posited.
During the interactive session, the attendees also learnt about the various elements of tourism and the importance of maintaining high standards and service.
On this note, the GTA Director gave the assurance that his organisation would provide the necessary support and training in the areas of Catering, Housekeeping, Food Preparation, Project Management, Proposal writing, Record Keeping and Bird Guiding, in accordance with the residents’ requests; the GTA will also produce a brochure to assist with the marketing and promotion of the area.
Before the end of the workshop, the residents had already established a Tourism Committee and they also agreed to send two representatives to attend the Tourism Industry Conference, which will be hosted by the Tourism Ministry on Monday.
The residents also expressed their gratitude for the information imparted and reaffirmed their willingness to work along with the Ministry of Tourism to further develop and enhance their communities.
Training and capacity- building in hinterland communities remain a top priority, in keeping with the administration’s pledge to ensure that the many tourism products in the hinterland communities are utilised for the benefit of those communities; the overall aim is to generate vibrant and sustainable livelihoods within communities across the country.
The government’s 10-point strategic plan for hinterland development was unveiled at the National Toshaos Council meeting, earlier this year.