TO celebrate World Tourism Day, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, and the Guyana Tourism Authority launched their ‘Experimental Tourism Products’ at Bookland Gardens in Georgetown on Wednesday.

This consisted of 15 tourism products by 10 of Guyana’s finest tour operators. Oneidge Walrond, the Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, saw the event as a testament to the growth of tourism in Guyana.

She said, “These are 15 new experiences. I know its quiet hard work, and I know it’s a challenge that the teams came up with this and it seemed like easy work. It’s such fitting as we celebrate World Tourism Day.”

The Minister affirmed that it aligns with the country’s steadfast dedication to promoting and developing sustainable tourism.
‘Tourism and green investment’ is the theme for this year’s world tourism day. Minister Walrond noted that this means investing in people, planet and prosperity. This year’s theme, she remarked, encapsulates the essence of their vision for tourism in Guyana.

“It resonates with government’s dedication to sustainable development as reflected in our low carbon development strategy. And the theme speaks about investing in people, in our planet and in prosperity, and our tourism product hits on all three of those markers. We are investing in people, because tourism is ultimately about people,” said Minister Walrond.
The government, she noted, has identified tourism as a priority sector. That she said can be seen through the millions of dollars spent on boosting and promoting the local tourism industry.

The Minister cautioned that those 15 new experiences were being established in multiple regions throughout Guyana and should not be underestimated. She said, “These are hundreds of people that are going to be employed, communities impacted directly by tourism, and visitors’ dollars. And, we continue as government to say that tourism remains; will be the pillar of our economy.”

The Minister emphasised that tourism is crucial for the economy. “While our non-renewable resources such as the gold and oil for example, can run low or be finished at any time, tourism will be here to stay.” Minister Walrond expressed that tourism should be seen with the same care as these other resources.
She said, “We see it as an investment, an investment in the future of our people, as we continue to spend billions of dollars.”
Guyana’s Tourism Minister commented that the country is still at the beginning of creating its tourism experiences. For years, countries like the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica have been doing this, but Guyana has yet to catch up. Minister Walrond expressed that Guyana’s tourism product is unmatched. According to her, nothing can be compared to it and it’s still waiting to be found.

Manager of Product Development at the Guyana Tourism Authority, Candace Phillip, said that with the change in landscape, and the demand for tourism, the product development team has had to dig deep, and aim high to have these products ready.

She said, “This afternoon, we will unveil fifteen new itineraries, and that represents this year’s target, of products we’re tasked with achieving.”
Eight out of the ten administrative regions in Guyana showcased their products. These represent not only products developed with communities, but also the private sector. According to Phillip, in the past two years, there has been a rise in both new and existing private sector partnerships. She expressed that it’s a celebration of all they’ve accomplished, to honour Guyana as a destination, and their newly launched products.

According to her, each of the new products is aimed at various individuals with distinctive preferences and for exceptional travel experiences. It includes wellness retreats, mountain climbers, and those who simply want to relax.

The names of the products launched at this event are: Life on the River, Backdam and Bushcook tours by Touring Guyana; Essequibo Weekend Getaway and Bartica RAW Experience by Eco Destination Tours; Pakuri Fin and Feather Adventures by Bimichi Eco Lodge; Yarrowkabra ATV Dream, by Savannah Tours Guyana; Escape to Mahaica by Mahaica River Tour; Moraikobai Culture and Nature Day Tour by Epic Tours; The Arecuna Way by the sole community tour operator of Paruima Village region 7; Yogic Meditation Package, Turtle Mountain/ Turu Falls Hiking Excursion and The IRL Rapids Cat Run and Essequibo Reel by Iwokrama Tours; Manari Creek Experience and Lethem Bar Crawl by Rupununi Adventures and the Kru-mi-ti Experience by Nappi Village.

All of these tours offer the opportunity to spend time in nature and explore Guyana’s creeks and green forests. While on tour, individuals have the opportunity to engage in activities like bird watching and fishing.

These tour operators can be found on social media platforms.