SEVENTEEN young people have successfully completed a three-week internship under the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana’s (THAG) Student Work and Internship for Tourism (SWIFT) programme, aimed at preparing the next generation of professionals for Guyana’s growing tourism and hospitality industry.
In a press statement, THAG highlighted its ongoing commitment to providing opportunities for young people to explore careers in the sector. The interns were placed across a range of THAG member companies, including Dagron Tours, Herdmanston Lodge, Roraima Tours, Maggie’s Catering Inc., Cara Lodge, Bimichi Eco Lodge, Guyana Electric, Scotty’s SmokeHouse, and THAG itself.
As part of the programme, participants also visited the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), where they were introduced to the agency’s work in product development, events, training, licensing, and statistics. This engagement gave the interns first-hand exposure to the diverse career paths within tourism and hospitality.
To mark their achievement, THAG hosted a certificate handover ceremony in recognition of the interns’ dedication and performance during the programme. The cohort was also treated to a Georgetown City Tour, led by tour guide Paul Waldron of Outdoor Expeditions, which included stops at historic and cultural landmarks such as Red House, the National Park, the Seawall, the Botanical Gardens, the Walter Roth Museum, and the 1763 Monument.
Launched in August 2024, the SWIFT programme bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice, giving students and recent graduates valuable industry exposure, networking opportunities, and hands-on skills to enhance their future employability.
THAG encouraged students, parents, and educators who are interested in participating in future sessions of SWIFT to reach out for application details at (592) 225-0807, 715-2883, or through its official website.