The Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry, in partnership with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS), on Friday launched Guyana’s first official Bird Guide Accreditation Programme, establishing a national system to certify expertise in bird-watching and guiding.
The initiative marks the first structured accreditation framework of its kind in Guyana. It aims to strengthen standards in bird guiding, improve skills across all levels, and support the rapid expansion of avitourism, a growing sector within the country’s tourism industry.
According to the GTA, programme development is already well advanced. The accreditation framework has been completed, training modules finalised, and a pilot phase is underway. The first round of guide training was conducted in the Rupununi in August 2025, with the next phase expected in January 2026.
The programme is designed to build capacity in communities, support job creation, and position Guyana as a leading birding destination.
At the launch, the GTA and SRCS announced the first set of accredited bird guides under three categories:
The National Bird Guides are Ron Allicock, Wally Price and Leon Moore, while the Regional Bird Guides are Kenneth Butler, Asaph Wilson, Jeremy Melville, Leroy Ignacio, Ashley Holland, John Christian, Pooran Ragnauth, Gary Sway and Neil Allicock. The local bird guide is Kenneth Mandook.
The agencies noted that these guides represent the foundation of Guyana’s new accreditation system, contributing to the development of avitourism and supporting the country’s broader tourism goals.
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