GTA records $98.4B in economic loss due to COVID-19

…75% decrease in international visitors’ arrivals

The Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Carla James, on Friday noted that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector suffered a total economic loss of $98.4 billion.
She explained that back in 2020, the tourism industry had been put on pause for eight months which contributed to a 75 per cent decrease in international visitors’ arrival.

In light of this blow, James noted that the Guyana Tourism Authority will be working continuously with the Government and other stakeholders to resuscitate the sector.
She explained that though there is not much international travelling at the moment, GTA has been working to ensure that the focus remains on destination Guyana.
In keeping the interest alive, the GTA currently has four awareness campaigns aimed at boosting and promoting destination Guyana locally and internationally.
James further highlighted that making Guyana safe for travels amid the pandemic has been the authority’s top priority.
“We would’ve acted immediately when the country was really shut down. One of the first things we did was to conduct research based on what was recommended by United Nation, World Tourism Organisation and the Caribbean health organisation, to develop recommended hygiene protocols suitable for tourism businesses in Guyana,” she explained.
In addition, she noted that after research, the protocols were integrated into the authority’s existing training programmes and the newly developed ones. This, she related, was done to ensure hygiene and sanitation were added to every component of the tourism service.
Moreover, she related that the authority has been offering support to the country’s tourism-based businesses.
“During this time, we have also been providing technical support, training and capacity-building at a business level in hygiene and sanitation protocols to all business within the tourism sector. Indigenous communities that have tourism enterprises, private tour companies, tour guides etc,” she posited.
Additionally, the Director noted that the authority has been conducting on-site inspections and verifying that the implemented protocols are being adhered to. James explained that without monitoring, the protocols would have no meaning.
She added that as of November 2020, tourism businesses have been granted conditional approval to reopen under strict conditions after inspection.
Meanwhile, James posited that many of the reopened businesses are now catering to domestic tourism until it is safe for international travel.
“We recognise that the domestic travel group is the priority and focus. They are interested in very different things than international visitors.”
As such, James noted that the tourism sector has been making efforts to diversify its product in order to appeal to the domestic population.
Adding to this, Deputy Director of the tourism body, Kamrul Baksh stated that domestic travels have increased since the pandemic.
“The domestics from all indications like very accessible tours, very shortened tours, given their very hectic schedules,” he explained.
Baksh noted that due to this factor, businesses have now developed affordable day trips and has been working on other package deals.