Regional bodies preparing for reopening of tourism sector

With the tourism sector being one of the hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Regional Tourism Committees have been using this downtime to prepare for the eventual reopening of the sector. This is according to Director General of the Department of Tourism, Donald Sinclair.

During a recent interview, Sinclair revealed that tourism stakeholders have organised more than 50 events for this year’s Tourism Awareness Month, the most events ever. He said that stakeholders have been capitalising on the lockdown to enhance their facilities.
“That has not dampened the enthusiasm of people, especially in the regions, to do things to organise events and to execute initiatives to raise the awareness of tourism in the regions,” he said.
The regions have identified their tourism products and are working on marketing them to attract visitors, he said. For example, in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), coconut farms are being promoted as a tourist attraction.
“They have been preparing the coconut farms for persons to visit, a visit to a coconut farm can be a fascinating experience,” Sinclair shared.
In Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) the focus is on “agritourism”, while in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), two large tourism billboards that will highlight the main attractions in that region will be erected.
Rose Hall Beach is one of the focus areas for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). The beach will be cleaned and promoted as a destination for recreation.
Signs will be erected at the Bartica Stelling in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) depicting the beauty of the region. The group there will also be engaged in cleaning exercises and will host a photo contest, where persons who visit the region can take photos and send them to the Committee to build a visitors’ album.
Meanwhile, despite the lodges being closed and activities in the area restricted due to COVID-19 numbers there, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) is buzzing, Sinclair said.
“Region Nine is launching their 2021 Tourism Calendar, because Region Nine is looking beyond COVID, looking beyond these hard times, these lockdowns and restrictions and so on, to a brighter 2021, when Region Nine can once again come into its own as one of the premier tourist destinations in Guyana.”
The region will also recognise tourism stakeholders there who have been exceptional in their area of expertise.
Meanwhile, the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) Committee has organised a clean-up activity, with a focus on the town of Linden. Special attention will be paid to the water wheel and the bauxite trains, which are historical features of the mining town.
The region will also promote Rockstone as a fishing destination with Gluck Island as a must-see for naturalists. Linden will also host its “Tourism Day” on November 27, with several activities including the launching of the best of Linden Magazine.
Sinclair emphasised that all of the activities countrywide are to adhere to strict COVID-19 guidelines. “We want to keep our visitors safe; we want to keep our stakeholders safe.”