GTA trains front desk officers in Linden   

DPI/GINA, GUYANA, Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Customer service plays an important role in the tourism industry and in developing this aspect; the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) will be establishing a tourism circuit through the implementation of the numerous training seminars to improve hospitality sector workers’ competence.

At training session for Front Desk officers in Linden on Tuesday, GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh, said that his agency is hoping to develop a tourism circuit in the region using the training of staff as a starting point to ensure that the hospitality services provided are of a high standard.

“We can combine Linden, St. Cuthbert’s and Mahaica as a tourism circuit so from fishing, watching monkeys to touring an indigenous community, to the final destination which is Linden, and on the way out, maybe stopping on the highway at Splashmins, wherever it is a unique experience and that is what we are trying to do, to increase the total number of visits to these destinations,” Haralsingh explained.

This training does not only entail the treatment of international and regional tourists but domestic tourists, as well, which led to the one-day front desk training for workers at the Watooka Complex, Riverside Drive, Linden.

The GTA Director told the front desk officers that they need to know how to conduct themselves in front of customers. It was also highlighted that the agency will check with the businesses that participated in the training for feedback.

Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland expressed his gratitude for the implementation of the training, especially since the region is hoping to be established as a tourist destination. The mayor said that it is important for the participants to take their role seriously in their agency since they are the ‘face of the organisation.’

The inclusion of Linden in the budgetary allocation in the tourism sector will help develop the region, Mayor Holland pointed out.

“I am hoping that after this training, that Mr. Haralsingh (can set aside provision in the budget for Linden like he has made for other areas. I have also asked Donald Sinclair (Director General of the Department of Tourism) to include Linden in the budgetary allocation this year in the tourism sector,” Mayor Holland said.

The mayor said that Linden is also hoping to launch a project called ‘Weekend Visit’ soon, which entails visits to different landmarks in the region among other activities. He noted that the implementation of the project is not for a financial gain, but another way in promoting Linden as a viable tourist destination.

 

By: Neola Damon