GUYANA is expected to launch the latest version of its premier travel magazine, ‘Explore Guyana 2016’, while participating in the World Travel Market (WTM), which begins today in London.According to Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh, the WTM, reputedly one of the world’s largest travel shows, provides Guyana with a platform to meet, network, and negotiate with more than 50,000 business professionals, including tour operators, travel agents, the media, travel writers, film makers, tourist boards, conservation groups, universities, and service providers from over 182 countries.

The three-day event, being held this year at the ExCeL London international convention centre, also provides Guyana with the opportunity to learn about new trends, challenges facing the industry, and get a chance to investigate the competition, he told a press conference here at the Ministry of Business on Friday.

“Our major goal (in participating) is to increase the destination brand awareness, perception, and positioning of Guyana, and to expand our sales’ distribution network and our sales channel,” he said, adding that a large number of new and reputable high-end tour companies have expressed an interest in unique, off-the-beaten-path, pristine destinations such as Guyana.

He said, too, that the mere fact that Guyana is the only English-speaking country in all of South America gives Guyana a distinct advantage over its competitors in the industry.

And while he did not indicate what the makeup of the Guyana delegation would be, the Guyana Chronicle has since learnt that it would comprise representatives of the GTA, Wilderness Explorers, Iwokrama, and the Guyana High Commission in London.

The World Travel Market is the leading global event for the travel industry. It is a vibrant, must-attend, business-to-business event presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to the UK and international travel professionals.