CubaPLUS Magazine

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Association of Tourism and Hospitality of the country (THAG), according to its acronym in English, in collaboration with sector specialists, have just presented the official playbook for the development of tourist products from all over the nation.

To do this, both institutions received from the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) a subsidy with the aim of accelerating the development of the tourist circuit in the region of Essequibo, according to a press report. The project, as explained during the presentation, consists of two parts. The first dedicated to creating a governance structure for Regional Tourism Committees in the ten administrative regions of this Caribbean nation and the second constitutes the base of the launch, a Game Book for the Development of Tourism Products.

In essence, the new volume highlights all the processes and steps of product development of tourist attractions of the country, including the Essequibo region. The program is divided into four phases: the first identifies the tourism potential of the product proposed, the second carries out an evaluation of market readiness, while the third is in charge of creating the tourism product itself and the fourth is responsible for its launching.

The document outlines guidelines that provide a structured approach to develop tourism products that attract visitors and respects the environment, culture and heritage, while emphasizing sustainable practices, commitment of communities and experiential learning, positioning Guyana as a leader. According to GTA director Kamrul Baksh, the manual is part of a much larger and broader plan, between your institution and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce it will play an important role, very complementary with the subsidy for operators who wish to carry out these experiences.

Likewise, interested parties "will have a detailed guide and financial resources from the Government to guarantee the viability of its products. I think there are two very important aspects, "important for all this to be possible," he said. We want to make sure this brochure gets into the hands of passionate people who want to develop products and in the coming weeks, the Guides and Community Tourism Entrepreneurs, with which the aim is to create a community of guides, organizers and experienced providers who can use the brochure and develop these experiences in all regions, to fully unleash the potential of tourism in all parts of the country, he finally noted.

Also attending the presentation were Omadelle George, President of THAG; Lorraine Salazar, Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank; Mark Berman, Chief of Mission of the High Commissioner of Canada and Jane Miller, High Commissioner of Great Britain, among other personalities.