GTA wraps up first quarter 2021 training
–493 persons trained in Hygiene & Sanitation, First Aid & CPR and Delivering Quality Service
At the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), providing the necessary support for tourism-focused communities and businesses is a critical contributor to the success of the sector as it continues along its journey of recovery and rebuilding in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the GTA for the month of March has completed a series of training sessions as well as product refinement outreaches targeted to the sector as it wraps up the first quarter of 2021.
Hygiene & Sanitation Training – On March 18 & 19, the GTA conducted Hygiene & Sanitation Protocol Training for 11 and 17 hotel operators in Mabaruma and Port Kaituma respectively. These sessions were conducted by Chetnauth Persaud, the Training & Tourism Development Officer within the GTA. An additional session, conducted by Clyde Edwards, the Product Development Facilitation Officer within the GTA was held at Lake Capoey for 15 participants during the period March 24 – 26, 2021.
The hygiene and sanitation protocol training sessions aim to guide participants through critical areas such as: What COVID-19 is, Signs & Symptoms, Myths & Facts as well as preventative measures and key hygiene and sanitation protocols that must be observed.
First Aid & CPR Training – On March 23 – 26, 43 participants were trained in First Aid & CPR at the Bina Hill Institute, North Rupununi. These participants hailed from various Indigenous villages, lodges and tourism businesses. The sessions were guided by Melisa Alstrom, an experienced trainer attached to the Guyana Training College for International Skills (GTCIS). The First Aid & CPR Training is mandatory for tourist guides to be licensed with the GTA.
Product Refinement Outreaches – From March 16 – 19, a product refinement outreach was conducted in Warapoka, Region One. This allowed the Product Development team to work with the Regional Tourism Committee to refine the community’s tour packages and take steps to ensure that these activities are market ready. A subsequent outreach was conducted with the Moraikobai Tourism Committee from March 24 – 26 which assessed the existing tour experiences, challenges and tourism-focused plans for the community. This was executed by Candace Phillips, the Manager of Product Development within the GTA.
Manager of Product Development, Candace Phillips expressed her satisfaction at the pace the communities have been adapting to develop their tourism products, “It has been quite a rewarding experience to witness the progress that they have made just by taking this simple idea and turning it into a number of tangible experiences. On June 30, the launch of Warapoka’s official tourism package is on the horizon and I could not be happier that we were able to uncover the pristine beauty of this amazing community and share it with you all.”
As we wrap up the first quarter of 2021, the GTA has trained a total of 493 persons, of which 190 are males and 303 are females. The GTA will continue to work with tourism establishments and provide them with the necessary opportunities to successfully and safely promote their tourism experiences.