Guyanese hospitality, a tool to market tourism internationally

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Ministers and high-level officials who attended the successful XXIV Inter-American Ministerial Congress of Tourism, at Marriott Hotel on March 21-22, were impressed with Guyanese hospitality and cultural presentations.

Some of the delegations attending the event gave the Department of Public Information (DPI) their perceptions of the Congress and Guyana as a whole.

Executive Secretary of Integral Development of the Organisation of American States, Kim Osborne.

Executive Secretary of Integral Development of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Kim Osborne said, “Guyana was the most amazing, gracious host; if tourism is about people and hospitality then Guyana has it hands down. Guyana did an amazing job at hosting and showcasing its products.”

“I was really amazed at what a professional job Guyana has done. In terms of the services they have here in Guyana, it is a real tribute to the country,” said the Canadian High Commissioner, H.E Lilian Chatterjee.

For some of the ministers and high-level authorities of Tourism, it was not their first time in the country.

Managing Director of Tourism Intelligence International, Dr. Auliana Poon explained that she has visited Guyana several times and has experienced the vastness of the country. “I look forward to seeing more actually…I think it is really fantastic and excellent that Guyana has decided to host this conference; it certainly puts the country on the map,” said Dr. Poon

Also returning to Guyana is Chief Executive Officer at the Ministry of Tourism of Belize, Yashin Dujon

Chief Executive Officer at the Ministry of Tourism of Belize, Yashin Dujon.

who said he has noticed several changes since his last trip. “I can tell that tourism is now a pivotal part of the interest of the Guyana Government.  The people are always wonderful and the food is always great here. I like coming to Guyana.”

Meanwhile, Colombia’s Vice Minister of Tourism, Samantha Howard, who is here on her first trip to the country, was surprised at the information she received upon visiting Guyana. “Not only are we getting to meet the people in the tourism sector, but we got the opportunity to get more involved with the local exhibitors and community.”

The Center for Responsible Travel’s Managing Director, Samantha Bray said, “this is my first time to have the pleasure of coming to Guyana and I have been totally blown away so far. I barely had the chance to leave the hotel [Marriott], but Guyana came to us. I cannot wait to come back for weeks in order to explore it all.”

Guyana, for the first time, hosted the 24th Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Tourism under the theme, “Connecting the Americas through Sustainable Tourism.” This year’s Congress saw a total of 26 States of the OAS participating in the event. The next Congress is expected to be held in Paraguay in 2021.

Colombia’s Vice Minister of Tourism, Samantha Howard.

Canadian High Commissioner, H.E Lilian Chatterjee.

 

Managing Director of Tourism Intelligence International, Dr. Aulianna Poon.

Managing Director of the Center for Responsible Travel, Samantha Bray.

 

By: Crystal Stoll

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