U.S.-based Brian Mullis is the new Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), State Minister Joseph Harmon disclosed on Friday.

Minister Harmon told reporters that Mullis, who lives in California, was selected from a list of seven applicants who had responded to local and international advertisements of the vacancy for the position. Mullis replaces Indranauth Haralsingh, who had been at the helm of the Authority for a number of years.

“The appointment of a new Director of Tourism is part of the re-structuring of the Guyana Tourism Authority, which began in early 2017 and is expected to boost the development of sustainable tourist destinations, especially in the hinterland, and to promote strategic marketing of ‘Destination Guyana’,” Minister Harmon said.

He assured the media that the process of hiring Mullis was a transparent one.
Initially, the government had hoped that a new director would have been in place since November 1, 2017, but Minister of Business and Tourism Dominic Gaskin had said it was important for due process to take its course.

The general criteria for the position states: “The successful candidate must be a person who has the regional and international connections needed to accelerate national tourism development. Prior work experience in the administration, promotion, sales and marketing of tourism destinations will be a strong asset.”

Haralsingh had applied for the position, but from all indications, he did not “fit the bill.”
GTA is a statutory body with principal responsibility for the development of tourism in Guyana. It was created by an Act of Parliament on June 11, 2002.

Its mission is, “To promote the sustainable development of tourism in Guyana that produces maximum economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits, while minimising negative impacts as part of an integrated national development strategy through the optimal use of human resources and the provision of a product of the highest quality.”

It is headed by a director and governed by a Board of Directors, operating out of the National Exhibition Centre at Sophia, here in the city.