Tourism authority supporting community tourism

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Brian Mullis says the agency has been laying the groundwork to stabilise community tourism in Guyana.

This is being done through several primary objectives by the agency, which includes raising the profile of the organisation, undertaking a needs assessment and conducting training sessions in the regions as well as drafting a community-led tourism framework.

“The leading authorities in tourism say that nature and travel tourism represent 20 to 25 percent of the world tourism market, and that is our market,” Mullis told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

He noted that the GTA has been working closely with indigenous communities to restructure and develop plans to further promote tourism in communities across the regions.

An initiative, between Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the Ministry of Business, which has seen several hinterland communities benefitting from major supports in an effort to develop eco-tourism.

This is part of government’s plan to promote economic growth and community development through the creation of nature-based and community-based eco-tourism businesses in indigenous communities.

A total of $17.5M was allocated in the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs 2018 budget to build eco-tourism lodges, benabs, nature trails, and to provide training of tour guides, customer service, and hospitality in Karassabai, Warapoka, Moraikobai, Great Falls and Assakata villages.

By: Crystal Stoll.