Guyana prepares for a tourism future
A GINA Feature By Lloyda Nicholas
Georgetown, GINA Friday, November 05, 2004
Guyana, as every Guyanese knows, has the potential to become a premiere tourist destination. Pristine rain-forests, the highest single-drop waterfall in the world, beautiful rivers, rich and exotic flora, fauna and wildlife provide a diverse eco-tourism experience for that niche market of tourists.
Guyana’s rich cultural heritage also provides tourists with the opportunity to explore and study the native life-style of Amerindians, the influence of African culture on New World peoples and the art of Indian tradition.
Black water creeks, a vibrant entertainment and sports culture adds to the diversity of Guyana’s tourist package.
But is Guyana ready for a tourist industry? Are Guyanese ready for a tourist culture?
This year’s Tourism Awareness Month theme suggests that there is still some way to go. The theme, “Preparing Communities for a Tourism Future”, was selected by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) to focus this month’s activities on equipping communities with resources, training and knowledge that would enable them to expand tourism opportunities.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manzoor Nadir noted in his address at the official launch of Tourism Month that all Guyanese must be onboard for a successful tourism industry. He said the product must be more developed and communities need to be prepared.
The theme addresses the fact that Guyanese must develop their cultural traditions into a marketable product.
Recognising that tourists are willing to pay to participate in Guyana’s culture is integral to Guyanese taking pride in cultural traditions.
The objective of this Tourism Awareness Month is to develop or heighten in communities an appreciation of the beneficial impact of tourism and an understanding of the actions on the ground needed to promote tourism and create positive experiences for visitors.
It is imperative that Guyanese understand that tourists do not want to come and see the ills of Third World countries, such as poverty and crime. A tourist comes to escape from the everyday ills of life.
Tourists want a pleasant experience with pleasant people hosting them and high levels of standards and quality. Guyana must also maintain high environmental standards if it is to become a force in the tourism sector.
This is a significant area where community awareness is necessary. The Government of Guyana has focused its attention on the environment as part of its effort to develop a tourist friendly environment.
Last year the Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, embarked on two initiatives to increase public awareness on the importance of a clean, healthy environment. They were the healthy environment and anti-litter video and the War on Bad Manners Campaign.
Currently, the Government, in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank, has embarked on a comprehensive, one-year solid waste management awareness project implemented by Guyenterprise Advertising Agency and the Mayor and City Council.
There is no question that the issue of litter is an important one that must be resolved if Guyana is to seriously pursue tourism development.
Detailed planning and preparedness is also important if Guyana’s considerable potential in the tourist sector is to be developed. The Government of Guyana has recognised this and is working to ensure that this dream is realized.
Last year, the Government, in collaboration with The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), prepared theGuyana Tourism Development Charrette Report – a blueprint for investing in the tourism sector.
Minister Nadir at the Tourism Awareness Month launch, also pointed to the Small Tourism Enterprise Training Project (STEP) that was re-launched between Guyana and the Organisation of American States (OAS), to prepare small operators for a bright tourism future.
Efforts to prepare communities for a tourism future are ongoing. Last August, the Ministry of Tourism held a training programme for 13 communities in Central Rupununi, Karasabai and Aishalton.
The programme included food preparation, serving, souvenir production, tour guiding and other tourism skills.
This year has been a good one for the tourism industry. Minister Nadir predicts that at the current rate, Guyana will establish a new record for arrivals by mid-December, if not before. Guyana has also had four cruise ship visits.
So Guyanese now, more than ever, must be prepared to take advantage of coming prosperity in the tourist sector. The Guyana Tourism Authority has embarked on a month of awareness activities and objectives that can only be described as intuitive.
They have sensed that the tide is turning and it is time that Guyana is poised to grasp the opportunities to improve its economic condition.
Activities for Tourism Awareness Month are less ceremonial and focus on skills development, a greater appreciation of culture and a celebration of Guyana’s culture.
They include activities as diverse as environmental campaigns, cake shows, motor racing, rodeos, cultural shows, pageants, nature tours, town days and tourism training.
Guyana is poised to move its tourism industry from the fledgling stage. According to Minister Nadir, “We are seeing the light on the horizon and it glows good!” A tourism future beckons, Guyana, take note.
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