Feasibility of agri-tourism in Guyana to be known by year end

The Government has been exploring the feasibility of agri-tourism, amid Guyana’s continued prominence as a regional agriculture producer. As such, a report on the feasibility of agri-tourism in a number of regions will soon be launched.
According to the 2024 Mid-Year report, this report on agri-tourism is expected in the second half of the year and it follows assessments that were done in regions two, five, six, seven, eight and nine.

“Agri-tourism assessments through consultative efforts between public and private stakeholders have also been completed in regions 2, 5 ,6, 7, 8, and 9 and a report on their viability is expected to be launched by the second half of 2024,” the report states.
Agri-tourism is defined as a type of tourism that includes visits to farms, agriculture themed festivals and old plantations, of which Guyana has many. According to the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), agritourism “combines agriculture and tourism to promote sustainable tourism, support local agriculture, and provide economic benefits to rural communities.”
It lists examples of agri-tourism, such as linking local farmers with hotels and restaurants, exploring agriculture heritage through visits to old plantations or agricultural museums and local gastronomic festivals that explore culinary traditions.
It also includes farm-based activities: rural bed & breakfasts, observation of crop management, farm animal feeding, milking and cheese making. Additionally, agri-tourism would promote the use of tourist routes that combine the natural landscapes with the way of life of the communities visited. As a matter of fact, community-based initiatives like village fairs, community markets and food trails would feature prominently in agri-tourism.
Last year, Guyana hosted the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo… the third of its kind in the Region and second in Guyana. Both local and international entities attended the expo, which featured 150 booths that were booked by both public entities and private companies.
This month, the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) unveiled its eagerly awaited 2024 Agro and Trade Expo, widely known as “Essequibo Night.” Held under the theme “Moving Business Forward,” the event showcased more than 90 booths offering a diverse array of fresh local produce, arts and crafts, livestock, small beauty businesses, and agricultural products and services.

New tourism
The Mid-Year report also details that assessments and training have been going on in regions five, six, eight and 10, with the aim of establishing new tourism circuits in these regions. Hinterland communities have also been receiving support for their efforts to build their tourism products.
“Additionally, progress has been made towards building capacity, fostering product development and support to 12 Amerindian communities,” the mid-year report details, in providing an update on tourism in the hinterland.
Under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s sale of carbon credits to Hess Corporation, indigenous communities get a share of the revenue. Last year, a total of 242 communities benefitted from these funds, based on the village development plans they submitted. A number of these development plans included tourism related projects.
For 2024, the government has already decided to increase the indigenous people’s share of the carbon credit sales, from 15 to 26 per cent.

This is in addition to the government’s intentions of spending significant sums from their own share, on projects that will also benefit the indigenous community.
Meanwhile, the Mid Year report also reveals that in the first half of the year, 82 tourism businesses and tourist guides received compliance certificates. Additionally, licensing and regulation clinics will continue in the second half for 168 businesses and guides.
“Further, seven new tours were introduced through the Guyana Tourism Product Development Grant Programme. This programme, which provides financing to licensed tourism businesses for new tour development, will issue some $10 million in grants in the second half of the year to lodges and resorts, licensed community businesses and accommodation properties,” the Mid-Year report adds.