GTA trains 35 Marriott staff in first aid, CPR as part of licensing requirements

Ten staff members from the newly opened Courtyard by Marriott Hotel at Timehri have successfully completed first aid and CPR training, facilitated by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).
The session, conducted by Deon Worell of the St John’s Association of Guyana, combined both practical and theoretical methods to equip participants with essential life-saving skills.
Just a week earlier, 25 additional hotel representatives underwent the same training, bringing the total number of Courtyard by Marriott staff certified to 35.
This forms part of the GTA’s mandatory process for tourism businesses seeking official licensing.

The GTA has emphasised that first aid and CPR training is not just a licensing requirement but also a critical tool for hospitality professionals, especially in Guyana’s expanding tourism industry.
With hotels, tour operators, and other service providers frequently engaging with international guests, staff preparedness in handling emergencies is vital to ensuring visitor confidence and safety.
According to the GTA, such training builds resilience within the sector and aligns with global best practices, where certified safety training is standard across hospitality services. This ensures that in the event of a medical emergency – whether in a hotel, at a tourist site, or on a tour – staff can provide immediate assistance until professional medical help arrives.

Building Capacity in the Tourism Sector
The First Aid and CPR initiative is part of a broader suite of capacity-building programmes being rolled out by the GTA to professionalise the industry and prepare for a projected increase in visitor arrivals.
These programmes include training in areas such as customer service, tour guiding, culinary arts, and sustainable tourism practices.
Director of the GTA, Kamrul Baksh, has repeatedly underscored the importance of standards and certification in positioning Guyana as a competitive destination.
Over the past year, the GTA has facilitated numerous first aid and CPR sessions across the country, targeting not only hotels but also tour operators, resorts, and community-based tourism enterprises. This ensures that from Georgetown to the hinterland, service providers are trained to international standards.
For further details on upcoming training opportunities, tourism stakeholders are encouraged to contact the GTA’s Training Department at 219-0055 or via email at [email protected].