Confidence in our tourism product

By Jainarine Deonauth –

Guyana’s tourism industry is taking off and surely the country is increasingly becoming recognised regionally and internationally as one of the most attractive and unique new destinations in the world. Unlike our Caribbean counterparts that offer typical sun, sand and sea tourism – Guyana has a different type of tourism product with its irresistible combination of fascinating and breathtaking natural beauty, pristine Amazonian rainforests, immense waterfalls, amazing wildlife, rich cultural heritage, and some of the most hospitable and friendly people in the world.
In essence, what we offer is very rare on the tourism market. It is now only for us to package what we hope to sell in an attractive manner. The Tourism Ministry and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) have already developed some niches with the aim of diversifying our tourism product, such as nature-based tourism, bird watching, sport fishing, yachting, community-based tourism and agro-tourism. Community-based tourism is a new growth area and several communities, especially in the hinterland, are already reaping the benefits because they are well poised to offer tourists unique vacations. These are experiences that surely last for a lifetime.
Just recently this newspaper reported that six Guyanese tourism organisations are up for possible recognition following their nominations for the prestigious Sustainable Tourism Awards (STAs) at this year’s Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s 14th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC-14).
The six companies – Karanambu; Conservation International (CI) Guyana; Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society (GMTCS); Aranaputa; National Trust; and Atta Lodge were nominated by the Tourism Ministry. We are very confident that once again Guyana will be successful in winning most, if not all, of the awards, given the potency of our ecotourism product.
Karanambu was nominated for the Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award, CI for the Destination Stewardship Award, GMTCS for the Biodiversity Conservation Award, Aranaputa for the Community Benefit Award, National Trust for the Heritage Protection Award, and Atta Lodge for the Sustainable Accommodation Award.
The organisations and companies chosen for nomination all fit into very tight criteria of ensuring that their product is sustainable, that there is no damage to the environment and that they integrate the environment into the development of their product.
As echoed by subject minister, Irfaan Ali, winning is important, as it sends a timely message to the international community, to the international tourists and tourist groups that look at eco-adventure, nature adventure and sustainable tourism, that the haven of sustainable tourism resides in Guyana.
It should be stated that Guyana won three of the five top tourism awards at the 13th Sustainable Tourism Conference which was hosted in Georgetown last year, under the theme, “Keeping the right balance: Sustaining our resources”. Then, Guyana’s Rupununi region won the 2012 Caribbean Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award, the Community Benefit Award was presented to the Iwokrama International Centre, and the Biodiversity Award was won by Guyana’s Mangrove Reserve Women Producers’ Project. The 2012 regional tourism awards comprised five categories covering all aspects of sustainability, from overall excellence, to accommodation, community, heritage and biodiversity.
Guyana’s tourism product is still evolving, and in order for it to be successful, we must all be involved in the thrust towards making our country a destination of choice. If we are to underscore the importance of tourism to our country’s development, then more public awareness is needed so that not only the government and the private sector are onboard, but citizens fully understand and support the industry. In this regard, it is very important that we take advantage of all communication methods to get the message out to both Guyanese at home and abroad and international tourists and tour groups, that there is something really special on offer.
Additionally, every related sector that is involved, whether directly or indirectly, in the tourism business must continue to make the necessary investments to improve their standards. This is necessary, as we must be ready to capitalise on all the opportunities that will come our way.