GTA licenses 50 tourism businesses, tourist guides

…Authority completes inspections in 9 regions

As the Tourism Ministry works to capitalize on Guyana’s tourism potential, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in April concluded business inspections in 9 administrative regions, resulting in numerous businesses and tourist guides becoming licensed.
On Wednesday, the GTA published its April Highlights, and according to the authority, April was another strong month for tourism in Guyana, due to targeted efforts to grow the sector, strengthen partnerships, and push sustainable development.
One such effort is the licensing of tourism businesses and tourist guides within the country. According to information received from the report, the GTA in April successfully completed inspection of all tourism businesses in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
This resulted in 31 tour operators becoming licensed, along with 7 tourism accommodation establishments and 8 Lodges/Resorts, as well as 4 Tour Guides receiving their licenses. As such, a total of 50 tourism businesses and tourist guides are licensed for 2025.

Training
Moreover, as part of its commitment towards ensuring local tourism businesses are well equipped with best practices that align with international standards, the GTA also facilitated a number of training drives.
The GTA facilitated a Tour Guide training session with 25 aspiring tour guides and tour operators in Georgetown, and 10 in Berbice. This training, led by Senior Tour Guide Mr Paul Waldron, highlighted the importance of tour guides and tour operators being adequately prepared to host travellers through effective leadership, communication, and group management techniques, among other areas. Both practical and theoretical methods were employed during this training.
The GTA also facilitated a Business and Financial Management Training session with 15 participants from Region 4.
Mr Marlon George, a master trainer attached to the GTA, led the session. Participants were guided through areas such as Business Fundamentals, Book-keeping and Financial Management, Budgeting, Pricing, Contracts (Employee and Business), Taxes (Covering NIS & GRA), and key areas of Marketing.
Additionally, the organization facilitated a First Aid and CPR Training session for 18 participants, 12 of whom were official safari drivers. Mr. Thompson Akputo of St. John’s Association led the training in Georgetown, employing practical and theoretical learning methods. The First Aid and CPR Training is mandatory to become officially licensed with the GTA.

Product development
As part of the organization’s efforts towards expanding its tourism destinations catalogue, the GTA also conducted several project development drives at sites in several regions.
As part of the Region 10 Tourism Circuit Development project, the GTA executed an Introduction to Tourism training in Great Falls, Region 10. 17 persons were introduced to critical concepts of tourism development and management.
The community recently received funding from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to construct a guest house. And with the ongoing development of the road to Lethem, they have already begun to receive a few visitors, exploring it for recreational activities.
In Region 6, the GTA conducted a comprehensive tourism training and product assessment session in the communities of Orealla and Siparuta. The initiative engaged 37 participants – 20 in Siparuta and 17 in Orealla. The training broadened participants’ perspectives on tourism and its potential impact on community development. As a direct outcome, both communities have initiated steps towards establishing local tourism committees to guide and support future initiatives.
The GTA also conducted an Introduction to Tourism training and initial product assessment in Philippai, Region 7. The sessions engaged 50 participants and focused on the fundamentals of tourism and the principles of community-based tourism development. As part of the outreach, preliminary assessments were also conducted in the satellite communities of Ammokokopai and Klaimalu.
Following the initial training and product assessment in Philippai, the team journeyed to Wayalayeng, a remote satellite village of Philippai, for a site assessment and to engage residents on their tourism interests. Home to approximately 186 people, the village sits on a plateau near the top of the Wayalayeng Waterfalls, which also serves as the community’s primary water source. A total of 57 residents attended a community meeting where the basics of tourism and community-led development were discussed.
The GTA completed an assessment at St. Deny’s – Tapakuma, Region 2. The team met with the Toshao and Village Council to discuss the village’s plans for tourism development, and conducted assessments for potential experiences. The village officially commissioned its Hadali Tokoro Ecolodge last year, so the GTA’s support in expanding its tourism potential is timely. To complement this ecolodge, proposed experiences include visits to Dawa Pump Station and Tapakuma Lake, fishing, sampling local fruits, and enjoying cultural performances. This assessment was made possible through the GTA’s partnership with Environmental Management Consultants Guyana.
The organization also facilitated a two-day outreach to Nappi Village, Region 9. The visit featured a Community Tourism Planning session. The session brought together the Village Council and key local tourism stakeholders to discuss tourism development opportunities collaboratively.
The community’s Water Catchment Area Management Plan served as a foundational document for the session, guiding discussions to ensure future tourism initiatives align with local environmental and resource management priorities.
In addition to the planning session, the team assessed the Wontai Birding Trails, an emerging tourism initiative owned by a local villager.
The GTA will work to ensure that all necessary registration and licensing requirements are met before the official launch of this experience, which holds significant potential as a sustainable, community-led birding and eco-tourism product.
Moreover, in Region 9, the GTA led a re-engagement meeting with the Quarrie Village Council and local tourism stakeholders. The objective of this meeting was to determine the outcomes and challenges of tourism development in Quarrie. The GTA has been working with this community for the past two years to develop their community tourism package.
Additionally, The GTA led a re-engagement meeting with the Karasabai Village Council and local tourism stakeholders. The objective of this meeting was to determine the outcomes and challenges of tourism development. Karasabai is known as a birding destination, specifically for sun parakeet spotting.