‘Let’s work together to market Guyana’ – Min. Gaskin to media
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DPI, Thursday, September 6, 2018
As efforts to market destination Guyana, the Department of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) met with senior editors of various media houses at a breakfast meeting at the Cara Lodge Hotel today.
They examined ways in which the agencies can collaborate to push tourism locally and internationally.
Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Brian Mullis said it is crucial that the media work along with the local tourism bodies to strengthen Guyana’s image. “We feel the local media can build on the positivity that is coming, and paint a more positive image of Guyana in the process.” He added that the GTA is prepared to support this effort.
Minister of Business with responsibility for Tourism, Dominic Gaskin said while he would like to see the growth of the local tourism industry among the international competitive tourism industry; the government and media must consider several factors in reaching its target audience.
“The media and government perform a similar function. The question is whether we share a common purpose when it comes to delivering information relating to tourism… I think that it is better if the information coming out of Guyana has the net effect of bringing more visitors to Guyana rather than scaring people away from Guyana.”
The Department of Tourism’s Director-General, Donald Sinclair reminded that it takes two to build and nurture a good relationship. “A tourism establishment that is more forthcoming and declaratory about its programmes, projects and initiatives should find a media establishment that has a hefty appetite for avid investigation and fair and balanced reporting.”
Mitra Ramkumar, President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, reiterated the necessity of the media role in influencing visitors’ decisions. “In order for us to sell this country we need to value the treasure and gem that we have for a country…it is even more so now that we are on the brink of first oil.”
The meeting garnered inputs from the various media representatives on techniques that can be used to influence the outflow of positive information on Guyana. The tourism bodies welcomed the recommendations made and promised to collaborate going forward and engage in similar meetings.
Crystal Stoll
Image: Jules Gibson