Guyana joins Amazon tourism sector

Guyana was formally presented with the Tourism Circuit Manual of the Amazon Tourism Trail during a forum at the Guyana International Conference Centre that was organised by the Tourism Ministry, the Guyana Tourism Authority and the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO).

Following the presentation, a workshop was held to discuss the manual’s uses, applications and the next step forward.

The formulation of the manual resulted directly from the involvement of ACTO’s move to develop integrated tourism for the Amazon region, and focus on Guyana, Suriname and Brazil, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a release.

Acting Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali said the manual offers the opportunity for Guyana’s tourism sector to proactively and aggressively enter and expand markets.

He explained that while Guyana is behind in pushing the local tourism package forward, the country is now strategically positioned as a part of Amazon tourism.

Minister Ali added that it is time for the sector to lobby and move the integration process forward to link Guyana and the Caribbean with the Amazon. Pointing out that the manual comes at a critical time in the three countries, he said steps already taken by Guyana will speed up the process of the Amazon link. He referred to the links among Brazil, Suriname and Guyana which have already begun to open up tourism opportunities.

The minister urged that members of the private sector should invest as they will be motivated into the right direction for potential profit and benefit, especially if the rest of the Caribbean agrees to join with the Amazon tourism link. Minister Ali said that this aspect of world tourism will include the offering of sustainable products to tourists. He pointed out also that the manual offers products that go beyond Guyana which can compete effectively on international markets.

GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh explained that ACTO is a regional body created by the treaty to promote cooperation among eight member countries namely Guyana, Brazil, Venezuela, Suriname, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru to advance sustainable development of the Amazon region.

In March, there will be an official launch in Germany, Berlin at the International Tourism Fair, where Guyana, Suriname and Brazil will be placed on the Global Tourism Market. ACTO Tourism, Transportation and Communication Coordinator, Donald Sinclair stressed the importance for full political and private sector support.

Sinclair pointed to the fact that the manual is a tool for use by the public and private sectors and communities. Its current information can provide for guidance and informed decisions about product development and infrastructure, and to stimulate public sector responses.

Itinerary designs and modification information can be found in the manual, along with information on climate, infrastructure, and socio economic data from the three countries. Providing services such as transportation, accounts, food, and banking transfers are all covered in the manual. Sinclair also urged that the lines of action prompted by the manual need to be supported at all levels, with marketing opportunities seen and seized.