PM hails Charles as a pioneer in showcasing Guyana’s tourism product

Prime Minister Hon. Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, this evening, hailed Captain Michael Charles M.S., as a pioneer in showcasing Guyana’s tourism product to the rest of the world.

The PM delivered the keynote address at the launch of Charles’s latest video, the “Sounds and Colours of the Rainforest”, the fourth video in a captivating series titled “Guyana -Yours to Discover”, that explores Guyana as an eco-tourism destination.

“Mike Charles has been a pioneer in showcasing Guyana’s tourism product. He has become a frontrunner in our efforts to market our tourism product and to promote Guyana’s reputation as one of the world’s foremost eco-tourism destinations.”

The PM, who thanked Charles for his dedication and commitment in producing the videos, added that the latest production in the series confirms Guyana’s potential as a world leader in eco-tourism, and called for the video to be widely circulated. 

“Like his other productions, this latest video can become an essential marketing tool. I encourage the sales and marketing arms of our tourism agencies to consider how this video can be deployed to enhance its reach, appeal and impact.”

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Honourable Oneidge Walrond said that the video is a timely one that can be used to remind potential visitors of Guyana’s beauty, during the slowdown in tourism travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is critical to continuously spotlight our destination so that it could remain at the forefront of the minds of visitors delayed by travel restrictions… I previewed the production and I assure you that it represents a pulsating and exhilarating journey across destination Guyana.”

Additionally, the Minister used the opportunity to underscore the need for more locals to travel across the country.

“Every region in Guyana is now actively developing its tourism offerings… this aligns with the need for locals to explore our beautiful country, by spending more time visiting local destinations.”

Captain Charles, who has travelled extensively throughout Guyana as a result of 37 years of service as a pilot in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), said that he felt compelled to share his experience of Guyana not only locally, but with the rest of the world.

“The sights and sounds that I have seen in those 37 years have been unmatched, the joy and accompanying awe could not remain a personal experience,” he said.

The former military officer, said his videos continue to be a worthy sacrifice, noting that it took him eight years to produce his latest hour-long piece.

“It takes a great deal of financial investment and personal sacrifice to produce these videos… my son was a little boy when I started.”

For the launch at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the Prime Minister and Tourism Minister were joined by Minister of Public Service, Honourable Sonia Parag, Junior Minister of Housing and Water, Honourable Susan Rodrigues, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Honourable Pauline Sukhai, Ambassador of the European Union to Guyana, Mr Fernando Ponz Canto and other members of the diplomatic corps.