Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 23, 2015 AFC Column, Features / Columnists
(Excerpted from Post-Budget Address to Parliament by Minister of Tourism, Hon. Catherine Hughes)
I welcome the Opposition to this esteemed House and I look forward to us “working together”, seriously working together in a vibrant and hopefully productive exchange of ideas and information. That, after all, is clearly the will and hope of
the majority of Guyanese people.
I would also like to congratulate the Hon. Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, for delivering a well-crafted 2015 national budget and for giving an unprecedented stimulus to the Tourism sector as evidenced by the increased allocation (25%) to the Guyana Tourism Authority, and a commitment to doubling the Ministry’s marketing budget over the next five years.
Guyana has a unique Nature-Based Tourism product with pristine rainforests, exotic wildlife and a vibrant indigenous culture. Our Tourism product is exceptional because our rich natural resources provide opportunities for extraordinary adventures for nature lovers.
Tourism has the greatest potential as a rapidly emerging export-oriented industry to create jobs, generate foreign currency, improve livelihoods, improve Guyana’s image, empower rural communities, conserve and protect our environments and contribute significantly to Guyana’s GDP.
Our APNU + AFC Government’s commitment and the priority given to Tourism is evidenced by the fact that a separate Ministry of Tourism was created for the first time in our history with a specific mandate to develop the sector. We also hold responsibility for Consumer Protection.
The Tourism Ministry is poised to deliver to this nation the tenets of the 2015 budget, i.e. a ‘Fresh Start to the good life in a Green Economy’. Tourism will provide “the good life” built on the foundation that supports conservation, sustainability, care and respect for the environment.
POLICIES AND INITIATIVES
1. Policy Development
Given the importance of Tourism, its ability to attract foreign investment and create jobs especially within our Indigenous communities, and in order to realize the sector’s full potential, the Ministry of Tourism has begun to develop a National Tourism Strategy.
It is a sad reflection on the previous government that in 23 years they never saw the need for a National Tourism Policy to boost the development, operations and management of this lucrative sector. The new Coalition government has recognized the importance of such a Policy, which will find solutions to the constraints and challenges, identify opportunities and set benchmarks for the growth of the industry.
This policy will also address legislation and regulations on tourism investment, incentives and concessions, marketing, product development, human resource development, infrastructure, aviation, sustainability, best practices, and more. This policy will focus on establishing and promoting specific niche markets.
Recent research shows that Guyana has a competitive advantage, so here are some of the ‘low hanging fruit’:-
* Birdwatching – Guyana is now being compared with Peru and Ecuador and has become the one of the more popular birdwatching destinations. Guyana recently gained international attention following publication of the findings of a renowned researcher who identified 830 species of birds in this country. Our Botanical Gardens has been officially commissioned as a Birding Sanctuary and at the moment (August 2015) a team of Guyanese birding aficionados is in the United Kingdom participating in the “Guyana Summer Evening” event in London. They will move on to the British Birdwatching Fair in Rutland, where Guyana has a booth to facilitate business-to-business meetings with international tour operators.
* Eco-Tourism: Our marketing strategies will have to include Guyana’s pristine tracts of tropical rainforest, our high species biodiversity, the wide variety of wildlife, our numerous rivers, rapids and waterfalls, picturesque mountain ranges, miles of savannah lands, wetlands, and our indigenous people living a low-carbon lifestyle.
* Adventure Tourism: Mountain climbing, trekking, canoeing, jungle survival, Safaris, river trips, fishing, cattle ranches, wildlife watching, rapids, waterfalls, flora, and fauna, along with pristine rainforests make Guyana a paradise for adventure seekers.
* Wildlife Watching – Guyana is known for its rich and viewable wildlife. Tourists are often fascinated by the amazing diversity of flora and fauna and we are known as the home of the Giants of the Amazon – the Harpy Eagle, Anaconda, Black Caiman, Arapaima, Giant Ant Eater, Jaguar and the Victoria Amazonica Lily.
* Community-based Tourism – More rural communities are turning to Tourism services for sustainable employment. I have already held consultations with stakeholders from Region 8 and we have crafted plans for viable public/private sector partnerships. It is our intention to identify potential tourism sites in all regions.
Some of our indigenous communities received international tourism awards in 2009, and in 2012 Surama was awarded by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Sustainable Conference for their efforts to development community-based tourism and eco-tourism. The development of Community-based tourism will strengthen the public private partnerships that already exist among local organisations, regional and international agencies, which have been working together to explore every possibility for development.
* Sports Tourism: Sport Fishing has tremendous potential for Guyana, home to the largest fresh water fish, the Arapaima, and an impressive array of creeks, lakes and rivers. Guyana recently gained greater international recognition in this area from the filming and production of documentaries by Reel Adventures. These documentaries were broadcast on national television in the USA to over 15 million households. Rewa has been identified as one of the top spots in the world for sport fishing.
In addition, Guyana has been attracting large numbers of tourists to our cricket, motor racing, football, horse racing, hockey, rugby and other sports. A recent Motor Racing event brought more than 15,000 visitors to Guyana for that single event and as such, we have committed to supporting the GMR&SC.
* Yachting and Cruise Visits: This sector has the potential to expand over time. Just recently I made a presentation to over 50 yachters originating from six European countries and from the Guianas. Yachts continue to sail into Guyana’s waters, berthing at numerous points along the Essequibo River and at Bartica. We have begun to explore possibilities for investor-driven developments, including the construction of a Marina with maintenance services which will create jobs here.
* Entertainment and Events: Guyana has evolved into an attraction for International and Regional Music and Art shows. This form of tourism has seen enormous financial gains for local hospitality service providers. More importantly, the shows featuring international artistes provide a boost for our own music industry.
* Heritage/Cultural Tourism: Guyana’s ethnic composition, our rich cultural heritage, the history of our people, their art, music, architecture, religions, and ways of life offer a unique experience for tourists. Many of the National buildings and other structures constructed in the colonial era by the Dutch, English and French have become part of Guyana’s unique identity. We will restore those that were allowed to decay, including the Stabroek Market, and include them in the itinerary for tours.
(To be continued with Tourism Satellite Accounting, Marketing and Product Development)
LISTEN HOW JAGDEO WILL MAKE ALL GUYANESE RICH!!!
Apr 24, 2024
Round 2 GFF Women’s League Division One Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Police Force FC on Saturday last demolished Pakuri Jaguars FC with a 17 – 0 goal blitz at the Guyana Football...Kaieteur News – Just recently, the PPC determined that it does not have the authority to vitiate a contract which was... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]