THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) continues to show remarkable progress for the month of February 2023.

A press release from the entity revealed that it recently recorded 288,322 visitor arrival figures for the January–December 2022 period from the three main ports of entry – Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Eugene F. Correia International Airport, and the Moleson Creek Ferry Terminal.

This figure represents a striking 82.1 per cent increase when compared to the same period in 2021, which recorded 158,347 visitors.

It was also shown that in January, the GTA hosted the first of its kind in Guyana, a tourism business licensing clinic. The event aimed to connect tourism businesses with key regulatory agencies to expedite the processes and address the challenges related to registering and licensing their businesses.

More recently, another tourism business licensing clinic was held in collaboration with Visit Rupununi, and the response was tremendous. The support provided by stakeholders such as GRA, MARAD, the Guyana Fire Service, GBTI, Republic Bank, RDC #9, M&TC Lethem and the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry will certainly go a long way in helping the businesses become officially registered and licensed with the GTA.

Additionally, as it relates to inspections, 60 tourism-focused businesses have been inspected so far for 2023 in Regions Four, Seven, Nine and 10. Once these businesses have passed the inspection process, they will be on their way to becoming officially licensed in the GTA.

The GTA also facilitated a mixology training session for 27 participants in Essequibo. This session was led by Anil Singh, the head bartender attached to Bistro Cafe & Bar. Participants were guided through areas such as the different types of bartending, selecting ingredients, garnishing drinks, measuring and pouring techniques, and how to present a drink properly.

These areas were also complemented by customer service practices, time management, communication, and how to remain calm under pressure.
To date, the GTA has trained 66 people.

The GTA recently conducted a tourism baseline assessment outreach in the Moruca Sub district with the aim of developing the Moruca Tourism Circuit. This outreach forms part of the GTA’s continued commitment to developing the region as an official regional tourism destination.

During the outreach, the product development team engaged with residents of Kwebanna to determine their interest in tourism development. An assessment was also done at the Shell Beach Protected Areas. These areas will be prioritised for tourism development. Kwebanna, more specifically, is currently working on completing a local cassava processing factory, which will allow them to easily produce edible cassava products, which will be an added attraction and income generator for the village. They have also identified an area that will be developed into a recreational facility.