BARTICA and its surrounding communities are steadily emerging as one of Guyana’s most dynamic tourism destinations, according to Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamrul Baksh, who highlighted the region’s growing potential during a recent outreach in Region Seven.
Speaking as part of a tourism delegation that visited the region earlier this week alongside other government stakeholders, Baksh said the engagements were aimed at identifying opportunities for tourism development, strengthening partnerships with local stakeholders and promoting sustainable tourism growth.
He noted that the team met with tourism operators, community representatives and business owners, while also visiting several sites with potential for further tourism development.
“Region Seven, particularly Bartica and its surrounding communities, continues to evolve as a vibrant tourism circuit,” Baksh said, emphasising the area’s growing appeal to both local and international visitors.
During the visit, the GTA also provided information on tourism-related opportunities and services and successfully certified four tourism properties in Bartica, bringing them into compliance with national tourism standards. Baksh said the authority remains committed to assisting additional operators through the licensing process and noted that several tour guides have expressed interest in receiving training and capacity-building support.
The initiative forms part of the GTA’s broader mandate to develop and promote sustainable tourism through collaboration with local communities, businesses and stakeholders. Tourism remains an important contributor to Guyana’s economy, generating thousands of jobs directly and indirectly across a range of sectors, including transportation, hospitality, food services and tour operations.
Among those welcoming the GTA’s support was Colette Ault, Chief Executive Officer of Scenic Scapes Adventures, a licensed tour operating company. Ault, who is also a certified tour guide, praised the authority for investing in the professional development of tourism operators.
She said the training opportunities provided by the GTA, including lifeguard certification, first aid, customer service and etiquette training, have helped strengthen the quality of tourism services available in the region.
“Thank you again to the Guyana Tourism Authority for ensuring that these legitimate certifications are done, along with other training that we have been provided with,” Ault said, adding that the government’s investment is helping local businesses improve their operations and better serve visitors.
Meanwhile, Davena Mangru, owner of Bartica Welcomes You Media, underscored the importance of continued collaboration between the GTA and local businesses.
She encouraged entrepreneurs, including restaurant operators, taxi drivers and home-based business owners, to take advantage of training workshops and development programmes offered through the authority.
Mangru said her platform was created to help connect Bartica residents with opportunities available through agencies such as the GTA and to ensure that local entrepreneurs remain informed about initiatives that can support their growth.
The government’s continued investment in tourism comes as Guyana experiences increasing international recognition as a nature, adventure and eco-tourism destination. Over the past decade, the country has earned numerous international tourism accolades, with attractions such as the Essequibo River, Kaieteur Falls, the Rupununi and the country’s vast rainforest ecosystems drawing growing numbers of visitors.
Officials say that as tourism continues to expand, the government, through the GTA, will maintain its focus on supporting product development, improving service standards and creating new economic opportunities for communities across the country, particularly in emerging destinations such as Bartica.