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Dear Colleagues,
February was an incredibly productive month for us! From the training and product development initiatives to national events, each activity took us one step closer to achieving our goals for 2024. Read more below.
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INTERNATIONAL MEDIA FEATURES
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12 Reasons Why Wildlife-Packed Guyana Should Be Your Next Travel Destination by Worldly Adventurer. Read here. The Unusual holiday hotspot with new British Airways flights, giant anteater safaris & record-breaking waterfalls by The Sun UK. Read here. Top Five Things to Do in Guyana by Emerging Destinations. Read here.
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GUYANA ENERGY CONFERENCE & SUPPLY CHAIN
EXPO
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The GTA, with the support of its tour operators, participated in the Guyana Energy Conference & Supply Chain Expo 2024. It was an amazing networking event, where attendees interacted with tour operators about the tour experiences available and, of course, took a sample of the classic El Dorado 5-Year-Old Rum! Blackwater Adventures sponsored a giveaway where ten individuals enjoyed an afternoon Demerara Sunset Cruise! |
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Led by Dr Peter Ramsaroop, CEO of Go Invest, 45 Guyanese businesses were in attendance and benefitted from this major networking event. The GTA was represented by Ms Shellon Nicholas, the Tourism Marketing Officer with responsibility for Events and Candace Phillips, Manager of Product Development. The duo also participated in an Agri-Exchange and Tourism Connect Event, which fostered collaborations between the travel trade of Barbados and Guyana with an emphasis on the development of multi-destination itineraries. Tour operators Wanderlust Adventures GY and Dagron Tours were also present.
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NORTH AMERICAN REPRESENTATION MEETINGS
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Members of the GTA, Tourism Stakeholders Guyana and the Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana met with North American Marketing Representation Firms, Emerging Destinations and CornerSun Marketing. The introductory meetings were held at the Guyana Tourism Authority’s office, and stakeholders were engaged in discussions surrounding the representative's plans to promote and foster collaborations in the North American Market. In January, the GTA announced its official partnership with these two North American firms to strengthen its marketing and promotional efforts for Destination Guyana.
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- Tourism Business Licensing Clinic
In January and February 2024, the GTA hosted a Tourism Business Licensing Clinic in Georgetown and Lethem. Several persons benefitted from this initiative and were able to kickstart their tourism business development process.
For one day, existing and new tourism businesses were able to connect with key regulatory agencies to expedite the processes and address the challenges related to registering and licensing their businesses. Of the agencies present, Go Invest, Maritime Administrative Department, National Insurance Scheme, Environmental Protection Agency, Guyana Revenue Authority, Guyana Fire Service, Central Housing & Planning Authority, Guyana Lands & Survey Commission, Nalico/Nafico, Demerara Mutual and BrinsJen Systems Development Specialists demonstrated the utmost patience and knowledge while interacting with the participants and guiding them through the relevant policies.
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This collaborative effort emphasised the GTA’s commitment to promoting multi-sectoral tourism development and accelerating the country’s transformational process through innovative measures.
Moreover, at the end of February 2024, the GTA licensed the following tourism businesses.
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Tourism Accommodation Establishments
- Grand Coastal Inn
- Cara Lodge Hotel
Interior Lodges & Resorts - Atta Rainforest Lodge
- Rockview Eco-lodge
Tour Operators
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Tour Guides Naomi Walcott Tanuja Ragoobar-Beharry Sharon Sookhoo Gilbert George Sharla Hernandez Dexter Simmons Tika Bisesar Roland Phillips
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TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING
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The GTA facilitated a Delivering Quality Service Training for 26 Kingston Seawall Esplanade Vendors. These vendors will be plying their trade along the newly renovated Kingston Seawall as part of the Honourable First Lady - Arya Ali's national beautification project. |
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In collaboration with Breeze Travel, the GTA hosted a Book & Payment Online Seminar for its tour operators and tourism stakeholders. This seminar was an important step towards exploring strategies to improve the online booking and payment system for travellers and guests, ensuring a seamless experience. Breeze Travel Inc. is a technology-led travel company and tour operator dedicated to helping digitally transform travel to and within the Caribbean. |
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The GTA facilitated a Business Development Toolkit training session with 16 participants. This session, led by Marlon George, a master trainer attached to the GTA, guided participants through strategic areas of business development and how they can implement these areas in the daily operations of their businesses.
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The GTA facilitated a First Aid & CPR Training with 18 persons at Adel's Resort. This training was led by Melissa Alstrom, an experienced first responder and trainer attached to the Guyana Training College for International Skills (GTCIS). The First Aid & CPR Training is a mandatory step towards becoming officially licensed with the GTA.
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The GTA led a Tourism Ambassador Training for Taxi Drivers in the Essequibo Region. Twenty taxi drivers engaged in this session to introduce them to critical areas needed to provide exceptional hospitality and tourism services during their day-to-day activities.
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The GTA conducted a site and product assessment of the "Moonlight ATV Tour" hosted by Savannah Tours Guyana. The official itinerary takes travellers through Yarrowkabra and Hauraruni Village, immersing themselves in ATV riding beneath the moonlight. The sandpits provide a picturesque setting for a bonfire, marshmallow roasting, and captivating storytelling before the return journey to Savannah Tours headquarters in Yarrowkabra. |
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The GTA, with support from licensed tour operators Evergreen Adventures, Trail Masters Adventure Tours and Wanderlust Adventures GY, recently conducted a product assessment of Ride Along GY's official "Rum Tour". This itinerary introduces an exciting addition to Guyana's tourism scene, offering visitors and locals the opportunity to savour samples of Guyana's finest spirits, including XM 7-Year-Old, XM 10-Year-Old, and XM 12-Year-Old.
What's even better is that this experience takes place aboard a party bus, guiding participants through a nighttime city tour!
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The GTA conducted a site and product assessment of the "Mukuru Tour" currently under development by the Shulinab Village Tourism Committee. The official itinerary takes travellers on a journey through the lush forest, where a village guide will explain the biological importance of the forest, where guests are immersed in the intricate world of the Mukuru plant, learning firsthand the art of responsible harvesting, skilful stripping, and the age-old tradition of crafting simple plaits. The team also met with villagers and members of the Shulinab Tourism Committee, where she listened to their concerns and offered advice on how to better develop and improve their tourism products with support from the GTA.
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The GTA conducted a site and product assessment of the 'Takutu River Paddleboarding & Kayaking Experience' currently being developed by Rupununi Adventures. The official itinerary includes kayaking or paddleboarding along the Takutu River, culminating in a beautiful evening spent under the stars with a bonfire, refreshments and an overall good vibe. |
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The GTA, in collaboration with the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, Compete Caribbean and the Regional Tourism Committee - Cuyuni / Mazaruni, recently conducted an assessment in Batavia and Rivers View as part of the Discover Essequibo Circuit Development Project. These assessments sought to determine the unique selling points of each location, including supporting the development of tourism products and services.
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EXPERIENTIAL PRODUCT LAUNCHES
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- Toka Village: A Journey Through Pottery
The GTA, in collaboration with Visit Rupununi and Conservation International Guyana, officially launched the "A Journey through Pottery" experience in Toka Village, North Rupununi. This itinerary promises adventure and cultural immersion, featuring the village's signature pottery-making experience. During the launch ceremony, Mr Kamrul Baksh, the Director of the GTA, lauded this pottery-making initiative, highlighting its distinction as the first of its kind hosted by an Indigenous community. He commended the collaborative efforts of the Toka Tourism Committee, as well as our partners, in bringing this itinerary to fruition, urging further exploration of diverse tourism offerings within the community.
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The GTA, in a brief ceremony at the Cashew Grove in Lethem, launched two (2) new experiential tourism products in collaboration with the tourism private sector - Rupununi Adventures, Tara's Choices & Tours and Bush Cow Eco Trails. The "Explore Lethem" tour, a collaboration between Rupununi Adventures and Tara's Choices & Tours, promises an itinerary packed with hiking, guided tours of Lethem, visits to Matapee Falls, paddle boarding, and kayaking experiences at Manari Creek. Meanwhile, the "Indigenous Exploration: Kanuku & Rupununi Trekking and River Adventure", launched by Bushcow Eco Trails, invites adventurers to delve deep into the heart of Guyana's rich indigenous heritage, offering an unforgettable blend of nature and culture amidst the awe-inspiring Kanuku Mountains.
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Mashramani was celebrated countrywide under the theme - Celebrating Our Peoples and Our Prosperity. The Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Commerce’s band encapsulated a literal explosion of true Guyanese culture. Designed by Neilson Nurse, the Ministry’s float and costumes embodied bright colours and vibrant energy. Building upon the official theme, the Ministry’s theme - “Explosion of Culture and Economic Prosperity: Celebrating Through A Tapestry of Adventure”- was brightly displayed throughout the parade.
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MASHRAMANI WELCOMING SESSIONS
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The GTA joined our partners at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Eugene F. Correia International Airport at the Moleson Creek Ferry Terminal to host a pre-mashramani airport welcoming session. The passengers were treated to sweet cultural medleys, locally produced goodies and a lively presentation by the children's masquerade band. It was a beautiful display of true Guyanese culture, and the passengers were certainly impressed!
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GYANA WELCOMES SKY HIGH DOMINICANA
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With direct flights to the Dominican Republic on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, this new connection will significantly boost partnerships between the two countries, including areas of tourism and hospitality. |
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AWARENESS SESSIONS WITH CYRIL POTTER
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION |
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The Guyana Tourism Authority hosted a group of students attached to the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). These students are currently enrolled in the Home Economics Department under the Associated Degrees (ADE) in Education Programme. As part of their course outline, they are required to prepare a tourism-focused exhibition within the coming weeks. The GTA was happy to provide the necessary guidance and material to the group.
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NATIONAL SKILLS AUDIT MEETING |
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The GTA hosted Dr. Justine C. Pierre from Dunn, Pierre, Barnett & Company Canada Limited to discuss the National Skills Audit on Guyana. This Ontario-based research and consultancy firm was contracted to execute this nationwide project. Today’s meeting focused on highlighting the GTA’s and by extension, the tourism industry’s role in this process. This project aims to analyse the country’s national workforce, identify skills gaps, and prepare for emerging economic sectors, including oil and gas, tourism, and ICT, among others.
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OFFICIAL SOD TURNING CEREMONY FOR THE
HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM TRAINING
INSTITUTE AT PORT MOURANT, BERBICE |
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The Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Commerce and the Guyana Tourism Authority officially hosted the SOD Turning Ceremony for the Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute (HTTI) at Port Mourant, Berbice. The establishment of this institute is one of Region 6’s greatest transformative projects, which will undoubtedly propel the country’s economic transformation.
Upon its completion, HTTI will provide training programs in various hospitality and tourism fields, equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills needed for careers in hotels, restaurants, tour guiding, and other related sectors. This will undoubtedly lead to increased employment opportunities and higher incomes for residents.
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OFFICIAL GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR
THE GEORGETOWN SEAFRONT RESORT &
CONVENTION CENTRE
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The groundbreaking ceremony for the Georgetown Seafront Resort & Convention Centre was held at the site's Carifesta Avenue location. The five-star investment is being made by private investors out of Qatar [Assets Group] and will add to the hotel industry 260 rooms and suites, 150 service apartments and premium villas.
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OCCUPANY DATA COLLECTION PROJECT
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To enhance data collection procedures within the tourism sector, the GTA’s Statistics and Research Team has commenced its Occupancy Data Collection Project for 2024. The team has since visited 37 tourism accommodation establishments in Region 4, 20 in Regions 2 & 3, 20 in Regions 5 & 6 and _ in Region 7.
The primary objective of this project is to determine a national occupancy rate encompassing the entire tourism sector—a metric of utmost importance to the travel and tourism industry.
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NATIONAL CLEAN-UP EXERCISE
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The GTA, as part of its corporate social responsibility, supported the National Clean-Up Exercise in the National Park, Georgetown, with support from the Protected Areas Commission. Strategic partnerships such as these will continue to propel Guyana’s developmental initiatives.
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As always, you can contact us via the GTA/Tourism Industry WhatsApp Group and follow our Facebook page for consistent updates on all things travel and tourism-related.
Your tourism partner, 
Kamrul Baksh, Director, Guyana Tourism Authority. |
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