The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has announced that it has committed to the international adventure travel guide standard. As such, a training activity was initiated last week which was designed to meet the adventure travel guide standard. Entitled ‘Raising the Bar for Adventure and Ecotourism Guiding’, the training was offered to pre-qualified tour guides and held in the North Rupununi region, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
The training included master training for four local guide trainers to lead future trainings. It was led by the CEO of Pandion Consulting Daniel K Moore, who has 20 years’ experience as an entrepreneur, professional travel guide, Adventure Travel Master trainer and is a trainer for the Adventure Travel Trade Association
The guides during the training exercise
(ATTA).
The core focus of the training was on how to fit naturally in the overall adventure experience, the importance and psychology of customer survive, storytelling and interpretation, and the concept of sustainable practices. However, the ultimate goal is to build existing capacity to train travel guides via elevating tour guide standards across the country.
“The Guyana Tourism Authority is focused on raising tourism standards in country to meet international traveller expectations and international standard. We have formally committed to adhering to the principles of the Adventure Travel Guide Standard and implementing its requirements,” said the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Brian Mullis.
Approximately 150 tour guides are currently operating in Guyana, conducting independent tours or for local companies and lodges. The GTA is of the view that it is important that they are quipped to provide a professional experience for tourists.
Part of the course included building domestic capacity by targeting five core competencies which includes technical, medical, customer service, interpretation and sustainability.
The adventure travel industry has expanded from an estimated $89 billion in 2010 to $263 billion in 2013, and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 45.99 per cent during the period 2016-2020. Guyana is highly attractive to the growing number of adventure travellers seeking personal growth, new destinations, immersive culture, and personal growth.
This year, the GTA became a member of the ATTA as a stepping stone towards meeting these international standards. Apart from that, the organisation is responsible for developing and promoting sustainable tourism in Guyana through collaboration with sister agencies and the tourism Private Sector.
