THE Diaspora Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation continues to collaborate with stakeholders in advancing Guyana’s development.

On Tuesday January 23, 2024, the Diaspora Unit met with the executives of The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) to discuss ways to advance tourism within the Guyanese Diaspora.

In attendance were Head of the Diaspora Unit, Rosalinda Rasul; President of THAG, Mrs. Omadele George; Director of GTA, Kamrul Baksh and other executives of THAG including Mr. Salvador DeCaries (Baganara), Carla Vantull (Wilderness Explorers), Abigial Ally (Bimichi Eco Lodge) and Oslyn Kirton (Executive Director of THAG).

The discussion focused on the different ways the Diaspora Unit and the tourism bodies can collaborate in enhancing the knowledge of Guyana’s overseas missions on tourism, promote Guyana as a tourist destination to both the Diaspora and non-Diaspora, and share information on the country’s unique tourism product and offerings.

According to THAG’s executives: “They recognised the pivotal role Guyana’s diplomatic missions play in representing Guyana on the global stage; therefore it is imperative that their staff possesses a comprehensive understanding of Guyana’s tourism product.”

This meeting aimed to establish a collaborative framework that will empower diplomatic missions to effectively promote Guyana as an appealing tourist destination.

The outcome of this collaboration has the potential to significantly boost the promotion of Guyana’s tourism sector internationally, leveraging the expertise and influence of diplomatic missions in showcasing the country’s diverse and attractive tourism offerings.

Head of the Diaspora, Rosalinda Rasul, outlined for the executives the different ways the Unit has been promoting tourism to the Diaspora and shared with them upcoming programmes to be undertaken in 2024 to further promote tourism.

She committed to sharing all necessary information with the tourism bodies that will support their work, achieve their objectives and to include them even more in those programmes. The stakeholders set out some tasks they can undertake almost immediately.