Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond sharing a photo with representatives of Atta Rainforest Lodge, Caiman House Eco Lodge, Iwokrama River Lodge, Karanambu Lodge, and Rewa Eco Lodge (Tourism Ministry photo)
Five Eco Lodges have received Green Destinations-Good Travel Seal and Business certification from the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).
Representatives of Atta Rainforest Lodge, Caiman House Eco Lodge, Iwokrama River Lodge, Karanambu Lodge, and Rewa Eco Lodge were presented with certificates by Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond during a ceremony held on Tuesday at the Marriott Hotel.
This certification falls under the internationally acclaimed Green Destination Accreditation and Certification Programme for Guyana, which seeks to certify tourism businesses and the entire destination.
While congratulating the recipients, Minister Walrond noted that sustainable tourism management is imperative, since many visitors want to be associated with destinations that practice sustainable management.
She added that this approach is critical because it preserves the sector for future generations.
“I thank you for taking the charge and GTA for pursuing this. We want to see the airlines taking up our interior transportation services. Every single service provider that deals with our visitors and pretty much the entire country,” she said.
The Minister said Guyana needs to make tourism work. She said this can be done by preserving all of the country’s resources.
“When we all and businesses join in this programme, the certification effort, and others will be as equally challenging as we are doing it for the livelihood, and not only for ourselves, but for generations of Guyanese to come”, she explained.
The Tourism Minister added that she is proud of the achievement, while stating that very soon they will be pursuing businesses in other Regions.
She assured the audience that very soon things will become easier for them. She further stated that the programme will not only be annual, but will become a lifestyle. She urged other businesses to get certified.
“Our very existence as a tourism destination will depend on our certification and certifications like these,” Walrond said.
The Good Travel Seal certification is part of the Good Travel Guide sustainable travel platform, which promotes destinations and businesses to responsible travellers looking for a green holiday. The certification is awarded to tourism businesses for their commitment to the fields of environmentally-friendly management, social responsibility, and health & safety.
The certification is available to all types of businesses in the tourism supply chain, including hotels, B&Bs, campsites, bars, restaurants, takeaways, activity providers, dive centres, small country-based cruise operators, car rentals, local destination marketing organisations, and others.(G9)
