…says former tourism minister
People’s Progressive Party (PPP) frontbencher in the National Assembly, former Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, has come out swinging at Government’s handling of the sector since its ascension to office.
In a blunt assessment of the coalition’s performance, this Member of Parliament expressed disappointment that, since 2015, management of the sector has been marked by a lack of “energy and enthusiasm.”
According to Ali, the tourism sector holds much potential for Guyana, but there is need for a tourism policy to be guided by a strategic approach that is not limited to developing and marketing Guyana as a product, but caters to partnering with the private sector. He urged that that approach be devoid of political considerations.
“I’m very disappointed, over the last three years, with the lack of energy and enthusiasm and strategic vision in relation to the tourism sector. As Minister with responsibility for this sector some years ago, we developed a strategic approach in creating an enabling environment to ensure the tourism product is marketed and developed to meet certain targets,” Ali declared.
“We also have some natural advantages in our multi-cultural society and our biodiversity. What is interesting is that a number of initiatives undertaken by the previous Government have been shelved, and there seems to be no alternative, no vision, in relation to this sector,” Ali lamented.
He related that the former administration had, over the years, developed a number of signature events, which are now either being de-emphasized or ignored by the coalition Government.
“Take, for example, the Rockstone Fish Festival, the emphasis on birding, the Guyana Festival, Phagwah, Diwali, the Wedding Expo, the Safari ….these (are) all products that took time to nurture, and we have supported these products. We need to continue to embrace these products,” he explained.
He opined that the sector has become dormant because the Ministry of Business, which has oversight of the tourism sector, lacks the energy and vision necessary to take the industry forward. Noting that the local experience continues to be underestimated, he urged that a national discussion on tourism be held.
Under Ali’s stewardship as Tourism Minister, Guyana made significant strides towards the promotion of Sustainable Tourism, and had been recognised for its efforts. Guyana’s North Rupununi, Region 9, has justified the resources poured into its development by copping the 2012 Caribbean Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award. The award from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and Travelmole (CTO/Travelmole) was accepted by Guyana’s Rupununi Learners Inc, for improving the quality of life of the region’s inhabitants.
In 2011, this award was shared by the Surama Eco-Lodge, also located in the North Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). This tourist destination was recognised by the CTO for harnessing the economic power of the visitor industry in a responsible and sustainable way. The 2011 award was shared with Harrison’s Cave in Barbados.
Guyana’s Karanambu Lodge Inc was among the big winners of the TravelMole 2013 sustainable tourism awards handed out by the CTO.
The country, for the second consecutive year, emerged as the big winner, copping three of the six prizes presented. These awards pointed to the hard work and commitment of stakeholders in Guyana, and to the policy direction of the Tourism Ministry and Authority.
In January, Guyana hired US Expert Brian Mullis as the new Director of Tourism. Indranauth Haralsingh had previously been performing the duties of director. It was explained that Mullis, a US citizen of California, was chosen from seven applicants.
