THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) will next week host its first tourism licensing clinic at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) located at Liliendaal, Georgetown, in a bid to easily answer queries that operators may have and resultantly, boost local tourism.

GTA Director, Kamrul Baksh told the Guyana Chronicle that the aim of the clinic is to offer operators who have not yet been licensed with an opportunity to get licensed or to clarify any queries they may have.

Baksh reminded the public that it is mandatory for operators to be licensed. Further Baksh noted that having accredited operations gives travellers the assurance that businesses they are engaging were subjected to rigorous inspection and have satisfied the basic requirements for travel.

“The safety of the visitor is very fundamental, and by ensuring that your business is licensed guarantees provisions that will be met, e.g liability insurance, safety inspections, etc.,” he explained.

Once operators are licensed with the GTA they can benefit industry training from accredited institutions, free marketing and promotions at local and diaspora events, business development and support services, product assessment and development, crisis assessment and management and international marketing.

And the clinic, Baksh said, will provide a single window to conduct transactions, including fee payments, queries, filling out and processing of documents, sharing of information and general sensitisation of the process.

Operators will also have access to sister agencies to make the registration much easier.

The agencies that will be present include: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GL&SC), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Guyana Fire Service, Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). In addition, several insurance companies will be present to sell public liability, fire and other insurance packages. Eventually, this clinic will be taken to other regions.