‘ElevateAll’ boot camp targets 60 operators in tourism and hospitality sector

A total of 60 business owners, operators and managers in the tourism and hospitality sector have embarked on a transformative journey through the ElevateAll Boot Camp, hosted at the Centre for Local Business Development (CBLD) on South Road, Georgetown.

This initiative, backed by ExxonMobil under the Greater Guyana Initiative, is designed to enhance business strategies, leadership skills, and overall operational efficiency in one of Guyana’s fastest-growing industries.
Selected from over 80 applicants, these entrepreneurs will engage in a dynamic weekend-long training programme, focused on business model development, marketing strategies, and financial planning. The programme also aims to equip participants with the necessary tools to elevate their businesses, in an increasingly competitive and globally accessible market.
Speaking at the event, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamrul Baksh, highlighted the importance of structured business training, noting that the economy is growing at a rapid pace, and slots are opening up for further development.
“Over the last five years we’ve gotten eight airlines, six to five new products on the market; our room stock will double by the end of next year, and we recently did a tour operator survey. I must say that we got a tremendous response of the 31, 32 surveyed. We tried to really get broad raw data. Over 15,000 persons travelled and over 5,000 tours were booked last year. So that’s significant, and what is even more significant is we stratified the data based on international, domestic, and regional.”
“So, more and more people are demanding services. We are increasing our budgets for marketing, product development. So, both on the development and the marketing ends we realize the importance to push this,” Baksh said.
With the country’s tourism sector thriving, the programme serves as a vital launchpad for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to scale their businesses. Phase One kicks off with an intensive boot camp, immersing participants in a hands-on experience where they refine their business models, enhance their pitching skills, and craft strategic growth plans—guided by seasoned mentors.
In Phase Two, participants are paired with mentors from across Guyana for tailored support, culminating in ‘Demo Day,’ where they will showcase their business transformations and unveil newly developed products.
According to Baksh, GTA is mulling plans to establish a long- term training strategy, which will build off the success of the ElevateAll Programme, ensuring that entrepreneurs within the sector has access to specialised learning material.
“What I can say, I’ve seen a really great response from the private sector, and I’m really happy that you guys are partnering so closely with us so that we can improve the standard and profile of our industry. It’s 10 weeks guys, and I know that is some level of commitment. I was thinking… about demo day, graduation day… you know if we can understand what are some of the needs, that we might be able to address on in the longer term. Potentially we can curate some training programs there and get some specialized trainers,” he explained.
The ElevateAll Programme receives financial support from the Greater Guyana Initiative, funded by ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd., and CNOOC Petroleum Limited Guyana.
Key stakeholders such as the Guyana Tourism Authority and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana continue to champion the initiative, recognizing its potential to drive economic growth and improve service standards across the country.