THE premier umbrella tourism body here, Tourism Hospitality Association Guyana (THAG) said it is disappointed at reports that Minister Cathy Hughes would be relieved of the tourism portfolio and also criticised the administration for not placing enough emphasis on the sector.There have been media reports of the move to reassign the tourism portfolio to Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin and have Hughes focus primarily on the telecommunications, which she was handed last year.

However there has been no official announcement by the government on the change. In a strongly worded statement THAG said it is astonished and disappointed at the recent announcement in the media of the planned move of the tourism portfolio. “THAG is frustrated at yet another adjustment to the tourism portfolio whenever identified ministry’s focus is adjusted.”

According to the body, at the commencement of the new government’s term in office, it had welcomed the identification of Mrs Hughes as a standalone Minister of Tourism; however this portfolio has been drastically diluted over the last twelve months to the proposed move being presented.

“If the current Minister of Public Communication, with a strong background in and understanding of the industry, is too busy to address the needs of the industry, how could an equally demanding portfolio of the Minister of Business be able to devote attention to the Tourism Sector?,” THAG asked.

THAG reaffirms that it is critical to the industry’s development to have a minister who has the time to focus on the sector’s development, understands the needs of the industry and auxiliary sectors; i.e. transportation, agriculture, culture, arts and craft, and with the depth of knowledge of the key stakeholders’ ability to effect change.

“We have noted that commitments to foster sector growth in the government’s manifesto, but with two budgets presented, this commitment remains largely undelivered. THAG now believes that the steps taken by government in the last year in the administration of the sector are regressive and disadvantageous to our development.”

THAG noted that the tourism sector is keenly focused on answering President Granger’s call for a Green Economy and believes that tourism is one of the few sustainable pillars in our country’s economy.

The body said too that the Government of Guyana identified that tourism contributes 9% of revenue per annum to the GDP and the recently produced report from the Tax Advisory Board stated that because the capital/labour ratio is low, tourism is one of the sectors with the greatest job creation potential; however, no allowances have been made to build the industry.

“Imagine what the industry could achieve with our own dedicated Minister of Tourism. We wish to make it absolutely clear; the Association finds no fault in Minister Gaskin. We only wish that the Tourism Industry would be afforded a level of serious commitment and appointed a standalone Minister.

Tourism is an export drive industry that benefits everyone. The just concluded Jubilee celebrations offer the best example of Tourism’s impact on the economy and the nation.
We all witnessed the trickle-down effect to market vendors, the impact on the local supermarkets, overwhelmed due to increased demand, locations booked for events, craft shops with a surge of visitors seeking souvenirs, tours booked for locations across the country; such as Kaieteur Falls, accommodation fully booked, airlines with all seats confirmed, dining establishments on rotation trying to keep up with the constant flow of visitors and said visitors about to return to their homelands with good news of a booming destination and plans to return in the New Year.
This is but one event, however many other opportunities exist for our booming destination that will require constant effort and engagement with the travelling public and industry operators, hence the need for a committed standalone Minister.”

According to THAG, 2015 was a productive year for the sector, noting that having a minister who understood the needs and the concerns of the sector and was able to make representation “on our behalf at the regional and international arena was very well received.” The tourism body said in the past year, they have been able increase product development and marketing budget for the sector.

“We were able to acquire the support and commitment of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation to aid the implementation of the Tourism Satellite Accounting System in Guyana and recommit to the implementation of the Destination Guyana Marketing Plan.
2015 marked approximately 10 years since Guyana’s Tourism Minister attended World Travel Market, a major international tourism marketing event to meet with key industry partners and representatives to promote “Destination Guyana”. The meetings with the members of the Diaspora were also invaluable as they were instrumental in the decisions of many to return home for the Jubilee Celebrations,” THAG stated.

THAG hopes that the restructuring is given further consideration and in the process the needs of the sector would be afforded greater consideration in the plan for the way forward.