Over 300 Police ranks get hospitality training to boost Guyana’s visitor experience

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Susan Rodrigues on Monday opened the tourism and hospitality training for Police Officers at the Officers Training Centre, Eve Leary. Launched under the theme “Professional Presence on Patrol – Service with Authority and Courtesy”, the initiative is being delivered in partnership with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to strengthen the role of law enforcement in enhancing the visitor experience and ensuring a welcoming, safe environment across Guyana.

The programme, conducted by Deborah King of Harobed Training, will train at least 300 new recruits over a six-day period, focusing on hospitality, communication, and service excellence when interacting with both residents and visitors.
Minister Rodrigues highlighted that as tourism continues to expand, frontline personnel, including the police, play a key part in shaping how visitors perceive the destination. She commended the officers for their commitment and emphasised the importance of professionalism, courtesy, and cultural understanding when interacting with both residents and travellers.
This latest training effort builds on the Ministry’s broader agenda to elevate service standards nationwide, ensuring Guyana’s tourism growth is driven by excellence at every level. Meanwhile, also speaking at the event, Senior Superintendent, Dr Nicola Kendall emphasised that the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration between the Police Force and the tourism sector to create a safe, welcoming, and memorable environment for residents and visitors. She reminded participants that tourism is one of Guyana’s fastest-growing industries and underscored the important role police officers play in supporting that development. “Every interaction you have with a tourist, a local visitor, or a hospitality worker reflects the image of our country and the Police Force,” Dr Kendall noted. Deputy Commissioner Ravindradat Budhram, during his address, encouraged participants to take full advantage of the training and apply the lessons learned as they execute their duties. He highlighted the Force’s continued commitment to enhancing professionalism across all ranks and spoke about upcoming initiatives being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism to further promote Guyana as a safe and attractive destination for visitors.