GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) Pilot, Captain Michael Charles, launched his fourth tourism promotion video, titled ‘Sounds and Colours of the Rainforest’.
The one-hour long piece forms part of a fascinating series that Charles has developed over the years, called “Guyana -Yours to Discover,” which promotes Guyana as an ideal eco-tourism destination. The latest video, launched almost a decade since the third, was beautifully voiced by Michella Abraham-Ali and features some of Guyana’s most interesting creatures and breathtaking sceneries, with emphasis on some of the hidden gems contained in the rural regions.
Charles, who has travelled extensively throughout Guyana, has been hailed as a pioneer when it comes to showcasing Guyana’s tourism product to the world. Delivering the feature address at the launch of the video on Thursday evening at the Arthur Chung Confernece Centre, Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips said Charles has become a frontrunner when it comes to showcasing Guyana’s captivating tourism product.

“Like his other productions, this latest video can become an essential marketing tool. I encourage the sales and marketing arms of our tourism agencies to consider how this video can be deployed to enhance its reach, appeal and impact,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister believes that Charles has played an important role in building Guyana’s reputation as one of the world’s foremost eco-tourism destinations. He expressed appreciation to the pilot, noting that the latest production confirms Guyana’s potential as a global leader in eco-tourism.
Meanwhile, in her remarks, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond said that the video serves as an important tool that can be used to entice persons to visit Guyana.
“I previewed the production and I assure you that it represents a pulsating and exhilarating journey across destination Guyana,” Walrond told the gathering.

She said that the video is a timely and appropriate reminder of Guyana’s beauty, which, she indicated, can be fully explored safely, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is critical to continuously spotlight our destination so that it could remain at the forefront of the minds of visitors delayed by travel restrictions,” the minister posited.
She also used the forum to underscore the need for increased domestic tourism.
“Every region in Guyana is now actively developing its tourism offerings… this aligns with the need for locals to explore our beautiful country, by spending more time visiting local destinations,” Walrond added. Creator of the videos, Captain Charles, has had almost four decades of wholesome experiences, traveLling throughout the length and breadth of Guyana. As a pilot, he has flown over some of the most exhilarating waterfalls and sites that many Guyanese have not yet seen. Charles said he recognised his privilege and felt compelled to share his experience with not only his fellow Guyanese, but the rest of the world as well.

“The sights and sounds that I have seen in those 37 years have been unmatched; the joy and accompanying awe could not remain a personal experience,” the former military officer said.
In his brief remarks, Charles said that his latest video took him eight years to produce, but despite all the hard work and investments, he is contented that the creation of the pieces adds to a worthy sacrifice.
“It takes a great deal of financial investment and personal sacrifice to produce these videos… my son was a little boy when I started,” Charles related, expressing hope that the videos would continue to encourage tourists, both local and foreign, to invest in exploring what this 83,000 square miles paradise has to offer.
Thursday’s launch was also attended by Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag; Junior Minister of Housing and Water, Susanne Rodrigues; Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai; Ambassador of the European Union to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Canto, along with other members of the diplomatic corps, and stakeholders of the local tourism industry.