THE Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH), a British accreditation firm, has partnered with Action Invest Caribbean Inc. (ACI) to offer specialised training for individuals in Guyana’s hospitality and tourism sector. This initiative aims to elevate the skills and standards within the industry, thereby aligning with the government’s focus on its development.

ACI is currently delivering the Level Three Hospitality and Tourism Management Diploma course. Soon, it will also provide Level Two Hospitality Practical Skills qualifications, which include training in housekeeping, front-office operations, restaurant and bar service, and customer service skills.
The collaboration has garnered the support of the Guyana government and the Ministry of Tourism. Representing Guyana at the partnership meeting were Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Kamrul Baksh, and other key stakeholders.

At a subsequent mixer event, GTA Director Kamrul Baksh emphasised the importance of such collaborations in promoting Guyana’s emerging tourism sector. He expressed confidence that the partnership between ACI and CTH would significantly benefit all tourism stakeholders by raising industry standards.
Steve Beckworth, Marketing and Business Development Director at Action Invest Caribbean, highlighted the success of the first cohort of students. “I have met with some of the students, and they are motivated and ready for a promising career in the hotels, lodges, and tourism businesses of Guyana,” he said.

He also noted that the first CTH Gold Employer awards were presented to the Marriott Hotel Georgetown, Evergreen Adventures, and the Grand Coastal Hotel. This programme will enable CTH graduates to access job vacancies globally through the new CTH Gold Employers Programme.
Currently, ACI is training the first 100 students through the GOAL scholarship programme, with another 100 students set to start training in the coming weeks. There are also plans to launch practical skills training soon. By collaborating with ACI and other stakeholders, CTH aims to extend its programmes further, thereby enhancing the skills of Guyanese citizens and linking them to job opportunities in the region.