…after Guyana nominated world’s leading sustainable destination
AS Guyana joins the global community in celebrating World Rainforest Day, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has unveiled a series of robust training programmes aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of those involved in the country’s growing tourism sector.
These initiatives come on the heels of Guyana’s recent nomination as one of the world’s leading sustainable destinations, a major recognition for the sector as well as the country.
One of the communities to benefit from these training programme is Kato Village in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), where the GTA recently conducted a comprehensive Naturalist Tour Guide training session. This four-day exercise was facilitated by Kenneth Butler, an external Product Development Support expert and licensed tour guide
The programme saw 12 participants being trained in essential tour guiding disciplines. These included technical skills, wilderness medicine and first aid, customer service, group management, and natural and cultural history interpretation. The training employed both theoretical and practical methods to create a simple and holistic learning experience with a hands-on aspect.
This initiative is part of the GTA’s ongoing efforts to develop the Region Eight Tourism Circuit, reflecting a broader strategy to promote sustainable tourism across the country. By equipping local communities with the necessary skills, the GTA aims to develop the tourism industry from the community level.
In addition to tour guide training, the GTA has also focused on health and safety within the tourism industry. This was highlighted by its recent CPR training sessions, which are part of the Authority’s commitment to enhancing safety and preparedness. The second round of CPR training is currently being held at the Leisure Inn Hotel in New Amsterdam, attracting participants from across Region Six.
Chetnauth Persaud, the Senior Training and Tourism Development Officer at the GTA, emphasised the importance of this initiative in light of the significant increase in tourist arrivals to Guyana.
With more visitors exploring the country, there is a growing need for trained individuals who can respond effectively to medical emergencies. The two-day CPR training aims to address this need by preparing 18 participants to become first responders, capable of handling health-related incidents within the tourism environment. At the end of the training, each participant will receive a certificate, validating his/her new skills.
In Paramakatoi Village, the GTA recently hosted an Introduction to Tour Guiding and Interpretation Training session for 23 representatives. Led by Kenneth Shivdyal, another external Product Development support expert, this training is part of a series of technical assistance provided to the village as it develops its official tourism experiences. The training covered essential tour guiding skills and interpretation techniques, laying the foundation for a well-rounded tourism offering.
Further efforts by the GTA include conducting tourism baseline assessments in Tuseneng Village as part of the development of the North Pakaraimas Tourism Circuit. Led by Clyde Edwards, Senior Product Development Officer, the team identified potential tourism experiences and engaged with the Village Council and community members.
