TOURISM is a sector that can be used to harness economic benefits, with little to no depletion of existing natural resources. It aligns with the path of sustainable development for countries but also fosters a great degree of community development.
For a country with pristine beauty and unimaginable adventure to offer, I truly believe that Guyana’s tourism sector is yet to transform itself into a very productive one.
During November, if there’s one thing I can attest to-it is that much of Guyana’s beauty will be highlighted. And why is that so? Well, November is designated as Tourism awareness month and this year it is being held under the theme: “Tourism: Promoting Sustainability, Celebrating Diversity.”
Tour companies and businesses within the service industry are provided with the unique opportunity to maximise on the national efforts being taken to appraise and bolster the industry.
In Guyana, these businesses offer packages at reduced rates- in an effort to target domestic tourists, primarily. But for me, personally, after the month of sweet deals goes by, many persons go back to forgetting that Guyana is a massive and magical place.
Speaking recently to the President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar, he shared that a sore point for those seeking to develop the industry is that many locals do not appreciate their country and what it has to offer.
And in explaining what the country has to offer, Mitra noted that the tourism sector is an easy avenue for Guyanese (and foreigners, of course) to appreciate the land of many waters, while adding to the diversification of the economy.
“We need to diversify our economy and if you look at which industry could diversify our economy, earn foreign exchange and is not necessarily susceptible to [the] decline in commodity prices- there is tourism,” Ramkumar told the Pepperpot Magazine recently. He also shared that because of the very nature of tourism, it is one which seeks to sustainably develop the natural patrimony. Isn’t that a win-win?
For him, the marriage between tourism and sustainable development is imminent- especially as Guyana moves towards President Granger’s vision of a ‘Green State’- but it is also one that should take place as soon as possible.
For context, the transformation to a green state is one where sectors that are sustainably managed. And sustainably managed sectors are ones which have environmental responsiveness, resource efficiency, and community and cultural sensitivity.
The sense of immediacy Ramkumar is throwing behind the development of the tourism sector, however, comes at the heels of Guyana’s preparation towards becoming an ‘oil- producing’ state. While the oil/petroleum industry takes root, it must be noted that it is an extractive sector that pulls natural resources out from Mother Earth. Simultaneously, Guyana is focused on conserving the natural patrimony.
How Guyana chooses to navigate between an oil-rich company and its drive towards being a green state will be a tricky journey. But Ramkumar believes that the tourism sector could be the new developmental frontier for Guyana as the country seeks to advance its ‘Green Agenda’ and transform into the first Green State. And should this transformation occur- hopefully, sooner than later- I know Guyana will definitely become a powerhouse in the sector.
It seems like an easy enough task given that Guyana is filled with enticing people, places and events but transforming the tourism sector might that needs careful planning.
A huge hindrance to tourism, particularly domestic tourism, is the affordability of transportation. Guyana is a big country and much of its landmass is covered in forests. Travelling to these areas must be challenging sometimes.
Director of Resource Management and Training, at Iwokrama International Centre (IIC) for Rainforest Conservation and Development, Dr. Raquel Thomas related recently that the required infrastructure for making the journey to interior locations is a huge impediment. Getting to the Iwokrama conservation by bus, for example, is a journey susceptible to terrible conditions on the Lethem trail.
I think it is one thing to acknowledge that Guyana has immense tourism potential, but another issue entirely is to understand that the country has a far way to go if it intends on developing the sector to the point where it can be one of the main income earners.
Under the green state agenda, it is envisaged that Guyana will use the earnings from the petroleum industry to fund the creation of ‘green’ sectors. I believe that if the infrastructure in Guyana is developed, tourism will benefit tremendously and can contribute to this Green Agenda. I agree with Ramkumar when he says, tourism can really be a new frontier for Guyana’s development.
