GTA will prepare for tourism rebound – new Director

Guyana’s budding tourism industry, mostly through the promotion of eco-destinations, was quickly dampened with the COVID-19 pandemic as strict restrictions were imposed on air travel and nonessential services.

The sector, which was beginning to make a dent in the country’s economy as a competitor and revenue earner, was dealt serious blows.
However, newly-appointed Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Carla James said in these challenging times, they will be preparing for the rebound and improving the quality of services offered to return stronger.
James was officially appointed via a virtual ceremony on Monday, replacing outgoing Director, Brian Mullis as his two-year contract came to an end. She takes up the role at a time when there has been zero tourism activity in the country as the coronavirus poses health threats.
Nevertheless, she stated that Guyana’s domestic market is expected to recover as soon as the pandemic is over.
“We do have to, in this moment, do what we can to prepare for the future. It is a difficult time and a lot of businesses would be extending the partial lockdown. It is understandable that they have to make hard decisions regarding keep employees and staying in business. But at the same time, I think it does present an opportunity to improve the products and services that we currently offer and in part of preparing for that future, we know that the local domestic market is the market that is going to recover first,” she said.
According to James, she will be working to build the GTA’s human resources capacity since there will be a greater need in the coming future. Presently, the semi-autonomous body is functioning with 26 individuals.
“We really do have an amazing and committed team of 26 persons who understands that our work plays a significant role in helping to protect all that makes Guyana special…I think, now more than ever is a time when community is needed the most.”
She added, “During this time and the next couple of weeks, I think the GTA is going to be focusing on helping the sector through this difficult period, preparing for recovery. Our team will continue to invest and build capacity in the GTA so that we can be a strong support for the stakeholders… I think our team’s capacity is something that I want to build.”

Expansion
The newly appointed Director said there are many unexplored avenues in Guyana which can be used to attract visitors and even local travellers. According to her, there is a need for greater community input into the tourism sector, as well as locally produced products on the markets.
“In the last two years, the relationships in which we have built and planning as it relates to sustainable destination management is really on a path forward that we are leading the market in an international way…I do think that product development is one of the greatest areas that we need to build on…I do think that we need to expand a little beyond into the communities to involve coastal communities and even other products that are nearby, obviously because we know that our market is growing in some new ways,” James said.
Presently, it was indicated that there is a greater demand for quick getaways. The GTA is hoping to open locations along the Essequibo River and on its coast for experimental travel.
Mainly, the promotion of local cuisine and improving presentations is also a key goal for the next few years.
She highlighted, “I think one of the other great areas is looking at cuisine or gastronomy. I think [in] Guyana, we have excellent food, organic etc. But I don’t think we have maximised the potential to showcase that from a country standpoint. I think from the simple thing of how we plate and deliver that service to visitors and even our locals, that’s one of the things that I want to focus on. There’s so much more we can do with that, from farm to table experiences, agro-tourism. It all ties in but it is an untapped area that we can certainly develop.”
Under the leadership of Mullis, Guyana copped the award last year for “Best of Ecotourism” destination in the world during the ITB global travel trade fair in Berlin, Germany.
The former Director, who has already relocated to the United States, positioned, “Guyana’s tourism sector, it’s greatest strengths is its resilience and resiliency.”