THE Ministry of Education, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) are partnering to advance sustainable tourism development in Guyana through education.

Heads of the agencies met on Friday at the ministry where they discussed possible means of collaboration such as the development of a standardised curriculum focused on professional development in tourism.

GTA Director, Brian Mullis, said that this curriculum can be developed in such a way that it complements the programmes already being offered at the University of Guyana (UG).
Just last month the ministry signed a US$250,000 contract with Deen + Partners in association with CEP and Leverage Consulting Limited for the design of Guyana’s first modern Hospitality Training Institute.

The project is being executed through the Ministry of Education and the land is being provided by the Government while the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will be funding the construction of the institute.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry said that she is happy that the GTA and THAG have expressed their willingness to collaborate. Minister Henry said that she believes that, with the establishment of the Hospitality Institute, there will be more opportunities for the three entities to collaborate to ensure the development of the tourism sector.

She noted that development will be possible under the right conditions within two main areas which are policy guidelines and development and human resource capacity.
Present too was Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson who reminded that, in the school system, tourism as a subject is offered at the highest level at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

His remarks were supported by Senior Education Officer (Science) Gerald Jewram who said that, at the CAPE level, an Associate Degree in Tourism is offered.

Moreover, according to the CEO, the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) would be an ideal place to address the issue of a curriculum that targets training in the tourism sector.
He said that now more than ever there is a need for a sustainable approach to developing tourism in Guyana. At the meeting, Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO), Patrick Chinedu, remarked that the opportunity is timely.

He said that with THAG and the GTA on board, further guidance can be given on how the education sector can respond to the needs of the tourism sector. Meanwhile, President of THAG, Mitra Ramkumar, said that one of the major outcomes he wishes to see through the collaboration is the changing of the narrative regarding tourism and hospitality.

He said that the industry is often seen as one that cultivates waiters and servants but persons must come to understand that the industry is much more than that since it teaches persons about their country and helps to promote patriotism.

Also Present at the discussion was Principal of the CPCE, Viola Rowe; ACEO (Primary), Carol Benn; Director of National Center of Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Jennifer Cumberbatch; Director of the Unit of Allied Arts, Lorraine Barker-King, and ACEO (Nursery), Samantha Williams.