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Tourism Month to focus on training, capacity building

Guyana’s tourism industry has experienced a successful year through a diversified range of activities, including sports fishing, bird watching, sports, meetings and conferences and, wildlife tourism. Its international image has been significantly elevated, with many world renowned organisations have visited and filmed the country’s natural wonders and participated in adventure tourism events.

The spotlight will again be on tourism activities, during November, designated Tourism Awareness Month and this time, the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) will focus on increased training and capacity building for persons and organisations responsible for tourism services.The month, to be observed under the theme ‘Achieving Service Excellence through Training’ will highlight the accomplishments of the sector, to disseminate information and education, to reward and recognize individuals, communities, and organizations for their sterling contributions to tourism development and promotion, to review, assess and evaluate plans, priorities and performance and to address the challenges faced in this competitive industry.

At the launch of Tourism Awareness Month, Paul Waldron, Vice President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) expressed appreciation for the GTA’s recognition of the need for capacity building. He noted that training for the industry can never be understated if Guyana is to continue providing a high level of service to meet the demands of the 21st century traveller. Waldron stated that it is the responsibility of the Tourism Ministry , GTA and THAG “to ensure that the expectation of visitors is met when coming here.”

The tourism sector has been growing and expanding in Guyana over the past many years to the point where international visitor arrivals reached 152,000 in 2010, the highest ever recorded and it was a year in which Guyana achieved the highest percentage (6.7%) increase in arrivals among the Caribbean Tourism Organisations (CTO) 34 member countries. The GTA is optimistic that Guyana will achieve this figure in 2011 as the country is on par with arrivals up to September.

GTA’s Director, Indranauth Haralsingh said, investments within the sector are growing, infrastructural developments are expanding, international destination image, branding and awareness are growing, visitor expenditure is increasing, domestic tourism is exploding and employment is growing.  Underscoring the need for more training, Haralsingh said that service excellence has long been on the agenda of both the private and public sectors, “and in our continuing efforts to provide the service difference and advantage, we have decided to place high priority and emphasis on service delivery.” It is with this in mind the theme was selected.

Haralsingh added that “the recent world class tour guide training by Chuck Lennox, a leading US Tour Guide trainer for 12 guides at Kaieteur  and 25 guides from attractions and establishments across Guyana is testimony of our commitment to build capacity and to provide a world class experience to our visitors whether they are local or internationally based.” Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the global economy. It is a potent growth catalyst that can create high multiplier effect and helps to develop strong linkages in the economy besides creating employment, bringing in foreign currency, earning revenue, improving infrastructure and quality of life, increasing entrepreneurship and investments.

In Guyana there has been an increasing demand for the tourism product as five key familiarization trips have been held so far for this year. The country participated in a number of key trade shows in Europe, North America and the Caribbean while three cruise ships have visited these shores and another is expected in November. Excellent international public relation has come from the BBC’s 10- part series on Guyana which was launched in the UK and which will be re-launched here during Tourism month. There are numerous travel stories and features in international publications about Guyana.

On the local side, domestic tourism has increased with more Guyanese travelling around the country to tourism spots than before. This is assisted by improved airlift to and within Guyana, from RED Jet and Air Services Ltd. Additionally there are over 100 reputable international tour companies selling destination Guyana which gives the country international attention. Training and capacity building has expanded in the sector and events tourism is growing with more local events and expos, celebrity artistes and entertainment programmes planned throughout the year. Collaboration with the private sector is a defined sector of tourism’s growth and testifies to the fact that investments in tourism are growing.

Meanwhile, infrastructure to support tourism has also been expanding accordingly and in the pipeline there are plans for more roads, bridges, swimming pools, an athletic track, renewable energy, solar panels in rural communities, and a new airport.
Haralsingh stated that there are many reasons for this growth,” but it would be fair to say the quality of service has played a significant part.”

‘As tourism is a people intensive and people centered industry, education and training should be placed in the forefront of tourism development, improving customer service at all ‘service touch points’ in the sector with a view to transforming the country and its various attractions, facilities and operations into a globally competitive service economy and as the destination of choice is one of the strategic objectives of the Ministry of Tourism and the GTA,” he said.

Haralsingh added “locals and visitors alike must experience excellent customer service at all service points across Guyana – from the street corner vendor to our restaurants, retail stores, markets, banks, airports, border crossing, supermarkets, salons, taxis speed boats, hotels, resorts, bars, event venues and this includes government services as well.”  For tourism awareness month several activities have been planned countrywide. These include the Rockstone Fish Festival , the Cortours Orealla Regatta, Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club races, the Tourism Awards Ceremony, Agro Tourism Workshop, Customer Service Training across the sector, Customer Service e-campaigns and service tips for the industry, tour guide training and most importantly among these and other events, the Botanical Gardens will be declared as a Bird Sanctuary.