GTA programmes are equipping a new generation of skilled professionals for a growing industry

GUYANA’S tourism industry is experiencing remarkable growth and, while the influx of tourists showcases rising interest, the increase in licensed tourism businesses and tour guides highlights steady progress across the sector. This week, Pepperpot Magazine sat down with Chetnauth Persaud, Manager of Training and Licensing at the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA). He spoke about new and emerging businesses, the path to becoming a licensed tour operator in Guyana, and why it matters for strengthening the tourism industry.

As Manager of Training and Licensing, Persaud ensures that those entering the tourism field are competent, well-rounded, and skilled enough to handle a wide range of challenges, conflicts, and emergencies. “My role here at the Guyana Tourism Authority is mainly to manage the Training and Licensing Department, which deals with training of the tourism industry. This involves training of all the hotels, tour lodges, tour operators and tour guides within the industry.” He added, “The licensing side of that is to license all the hotels, tour lodges, tour guides and tour operators.”

Currently, the GTA is responsible for several training programmes, most of which focus on customer care in efforts to raise and maintain the standard of hospitality in Guyana. The Authority is also responsible for training tour guides and tour operators — two major pillars of the industry. “We deal with our tour guides a lot because we want our tour guides to be well trained and licensed. So we do tour guide training, first aid and CPR, hygiene and sanitation training, culinary training, and business management training for the tour operators.” The GTA also provides training for the business side of tourism. “Experiential travel training deals with pricing for tour operators. Mixology training also deals with our bartenders and mixologists. It’s not just about mixing drinks, it has so much more to do with customer service. All the trainings involve the overall development of the industry.”

The robust and diverse training programmes offered by the GTA are perhaps one of the reasons the agency has seen such an influx of interested people. As Persaud highlighted, the GTA has witnessed tremendous growth in Guyanese joining the sector. He explained that the Authority is now on course to train some 2,750 individuals. “We have seen tremendous growth in the numbers of training that has been done. When I started working in 2019 we were training 450 persons. Our target for 2025 is 2750, which we have surpassed the target last year of 2500.” He added, “This year our number is 2750, which we are well on the way of hitting. We are currently at 2300 and something.”

Whether they are tour guides or not, Guyanese are naturally hospitable, friendly, welcoming, and always ready to help. Persaud believes this innate warmth is one reason for the sector’s success and a driving force behind its continued expansion. “I think it has a lot to do with our natural Guyanese style. We love being hospitable, we love working in the tourism industry, we love giving information. We see a lot of people flocking the tourism industry. They want to be tour guides, they want to be managers, hotel workers, restaurant owners, chefs.” He further added, “I think the interest and the drive are coming from people themselves wanting to showcase that, which speaks more to national pride. Everybody wants to improve their skills to be a part of the tourism industry.”

While interest in the sector is strong and growing, licensing remains a major part of the industry and of the GTA’s work. Businesses, both new and established, across Guyana are working to get licensed — a sign, Persaud says, of rising standards within the expanding industry. “We have seen a growth in the licensing industry also. A lot more tour guides want to be licensed, tour operators are pushing to get their licence, and interior lodges and hotels are pushing to get licensed. It has become some kind of competition now, businesses want to be the first to be licensed. We had one this year that became the first to be licensed and wanted us to post it that way.” He added, “Any licensed business can reach out to the GTA for free staff training in areas like dining etiquette, business ethics, culinary arts, mixology, and customer service.”

The first step for a business seeking to become licensed by the GTA is obtaining the required permits. As Persaud explained, guides and operators who wish to gain their licences must secure an EPA permit, fire permit, proof from the housing authority, business registration, and compliance documents. Once that is done, the GTA creates a file, conducts an inspection, assists with fixing any issues, and issues the licence. “You pay a registration fee to the GTA of just $2,000, and for hotels and lodges, the fee increases based on the number of rooms. Tour operators pay a standard fee of $25,000 to get licensed, plus a $2,000 registration fee.” Persaud further added, “They must have a business registration, NIS and GRA compliance, an operational plan, and an emergency plan. Basically, everything in your head about your business, we want to see it on paper.” Tour operators are also required to have public liability insurance and a customer waiver form for guests to acknowledge possible risks, along with a feedback form for guests to share their experiences.

Becoming a licensed tour guide follows a similar process, according to Persaud. Guyanese who aspire to become guides can be licensed in just a matter of days. Although it may sound simple in theory, the GTA’s training programme is designed to be thorough, equipping new guides with all the skills they need for a safe and successful tour. “All a person needs to do to be a tour guide is first identify that you want to be one. It sounds exciting but it’s really hard because you are responsible for your guests for the entire day. Tour guides must complete a tour guide training, two days of theory and one day of practical. Those in interior locations sometimes go for four or five days.” He added, “They also need to complete first aid and CPR training, submit a police clearance, CV, and basic medical. Once you complete that and pay your fee, you become a licensed tour guide. It’s as simple as two weeks that you put in, but you must have the drive to be a tour guide.”

As Guyana’s tourism sector continues to reach new heights, training and certification are just one part of the bigger picture. The nation is also working to improve infrastructure, transportation, and accessibility. But industry professionals like Persaud see the future of Guyana’s tourism as exceptionally bright. “We need to make sure hotels get the right training, have the right policies, and are guided in the right direction. The GTA is doing very well in ensuring training and licensing are being done properly. I see Guyana becoming a very big tourism destination for nature, culture, adventure, and culinary tourism.” He added, “Our product will appeal to adventure tourists and those who want to go off the beaten path or relax. I see the product growing into something bigger than what we expect it to be, but we must ensure everything grows in the right way.”