After completing a successful first session of its “Delivering Quality Service” training in April, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) had continued with the beneficial programme as it recently concluded two training workshops in Moraikobai, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Karasabai, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
Residents of Karasabai, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), during the practical session of the First Aid and CPR Training
A total of 48 residents coming from both regions were trained in the areas of delivering quality service, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). These pieces of training lasted from May 2 to 5, and May 13 to 15, 2019, in the respective regions.
Designed by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and conducted by the GTA, the programme is geared towards educating participants on the importance of tourism in Guyana and the neighbouring regions, understanding and respecting cultural differences, and the 10 principles and the importance of delivering quality service to travellers, as well as developing community-led and owned tourism by preparing villages like Moraikobai and Karasabai to independently host travellers.
GTA’s Training Officer, Deborah Clementson and Manager of Training, Licensing and Operations Davina Layne both conducted three days of training each in the communities. The First Aid and CPR Training resulted in 12 persons from Moraikobai trained in basic first aid, including the A-Z of first aid treatment and emergency procedures such as CPR. An additional 12 persons from Karasabai were trained in basic first aid. The participants were further given instructions in disaster preparedness. The two-day session in both communities was conducted by Deon Worrell of St John Association of Guyana who made use of practical, hands-on scenarios involving coaching participants to maximise their individual skills and teaching them how to work as a team. Through this, participants will be able to implement a coordinated response in emergency scenarios which will ultimately build confidence to respond to incidents where time is of the essence, significantly reducing the potential for fatalities.
Most notably, with assistance from the Projects Department within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MOIPA), Moraikobai has already embarked on the construction of a lodge. Once completed, nature enthusiasts, birders and those interested in sport fishing will be welcomed to enjoy the beauty of Moraikobai. Although a project deadline has not been finalised, the Moraikobai Tourism Committee is confident that the lodge will be completed by the end of the year.
The GTA is committed to providing guidance to the Moraikobai Tourism Committee to help them create a successful tourism enterprise through the creation of day tours and overnight packages and marketing their tourism product, the agency also has a sport fishing training guide scheduled for May 27 – 30 in the village of Warapoka in Region One (Barima-Waini). Warapoka is also one of the four highlighted communities for community-led and owned tourism development in 2019-2025 through the partnership between the GTA and MOIPA.
