– UK High Commissioner warns, calls for greater tourism experience

By Wendella Davidson
BRITISH High Commissioner Greg Quinn said Guyana must create an enabling environment to allow its Tourism Industry to flourish. Tourists, he said, must have the best possible experience when visiting Guyana, warning that failure to provide a higher quality of service could prevent growth within the industry.

“You can have the best flora, fauna and scenery in the world but if the tourism industry provides a poor experience to see that, the best counts for nothing. Tourists are a fickle bunch. There will always be the hardy, adventurous type who will go anywhere but the high value, high spending tourists are less adventurous, they want luxury and service, they want to feel special and that is where the money is,” the British High Commissioner said.
At the time, he was delivering the keynote address at the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) Annual Dinner and Auction, held at the Marriott Hotel on Friday.

In keeping with the theme `Creating an enabling environment for the Private Sector Tourism Enterprises,’ High Commissioner Quinn said the ultimate goal is to secure the largest number of tourists to Guyana but in order to accomplish such goal, all the players within the tourism industry must work together.

A thriving tourism industry will significantly impact the economy, he said while encouraging operators within the industry to develop and expand their tourism products.
Using Scotland as an example, the British High Commissioner said the country is not resting on its laurels but is in the middle of a 2020 tourism strategy, which was designed around four critical areas – digital tourism, leadership, quality of the customer experience and investment in infrastructure.

Here in Guyana, he noted digital tourism is also being developed in addition to other critical areas. High Commissioner Quinn said while government has its role to play in the advancement of the industry by creating an enabling environment, the private sector must also do its part.

“So this is about collaboration and mutual support, working together to ensure the best possible business environment that includes the best possible business product,” he said.
The British High Commissioner added: “Guyana is on the cusp of a transformation because of oil and gas but life and business is not all about oil and gas. It is about using the proceeds from oil and gas to develop other sectors, to build other business and to develop other industries. Oil and gas can provide the funds to build the infrastructure and develop and enhance the wider community and the visitors experience …”

In this modern world, protection of the eco-system and the natural habitats are high on everyone’s agenda and Guyana is already seen as a leader in this area. It is an obvious hook on which to continue to build and expand the industry.
He said Guyana has a great tourism potential and revenues from the oil and gas Industry can be used to further develop the industry.

Meanwhile, THAG President, Mitra Ramkumar, explained that the Dinner and Auction was THAG’s main fundraiser to assist the association in achieving its mandate.

THAG has partnered with the Guyana Police Force for the establishment of ‘Tourism Police’ with increased presence at key tourist zones and sites. It has also worked with the Ministry of Education for the realization of the hospitality institute. Added to that, THAG has been working with the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and Ministry of Public Infrastructure to execute an Urban Peacemaking Project for Georgetown to regain its title as the `Garden City.’

It has also collaborated with the Guyana Revenue Authority, Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) to publish a Tax Exemption Guide for the tourism sector. Importantly, too, the association has worked closely with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Ministry of Public Health and the GTA to implement a programme for a healthier and safer destination.

Spicing up the occasion were two fund-raising auctions with Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes performing an admirable duty as the auctioneer. The first was for several bottles of high-quality acclaimed `fine’ wines that were wrapped and placed in gift bags to conceal the brand. Interested participants, having paid $5,000 were allowed to choose a bag. One such winner was Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Claude Fraser and his wife, Melanie.

Bibi Saeedah Akhtar Hassan, founder of the Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF) was gifted with the proceeds from the bid, to aid in the continued initiative towards supporting cancer patients. More bids followed, this time for attractive `get-away’ vacations to Caribbean destinations and local resorts, canvas paintings and dinners. Prizes were also won by some ticketed patrons.

Providing lively musical entertainment was the Marriott-based `Famme B’ orchestra which saw some patrons strutting their stuff on the dance floor. Chairperson of the evening’s event was Advertising and Communications consultant, Alex Graham.

In the audience were Minister of Public Telecommunication, Cathy Hughes; members of the Diplomatic Corps, THAG members, business partners and representatives from affiliated associations