Sports tourism policy development gaining momentum

– associations urged to fully participate

At the second forum of “Sports Tourism Planning”, various sports associations’ representatives were urged to participate and pitch their ideas by Director of Sport, Christopher Jones.
Speaking at the opening of the forum on Friday, the Director told the associations’ representatives that the Government could not be responsible for the development of the policy alone, and highlighted that the associations have an integral role in the drafting of the Sports Tourism Policy. He also urged them to participate to the fullest and noted that the ideas and guidelines of the policies would have to come from them.
The forum, which is aimed at the development of a Sports Tourism Policy, was held for the second time this year at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) headquarters on Friday. Jones also noted that the Government, through the Social Cohesion Ministry and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), remained committed to the development of sports tourism in Guyana.
He explained that the Government has taken notice of some of the country’s associations hosting international tournaments over the past couple of years. “We would have recognised within the last two years, many of the associations and federations would have hosted, sometimes for the first time, international tournaments, and, of course in other jurisdictions, those countries would have utilised those programmes to ensure that their tourism package is sold.”
He continued, “The Department of Tourism, like the Ministry of Social Cohesion, is committed to the development of sports tourism in Guyana.”
Jones revealed that plans were in the pipeline for Guyana to become a major sports tourism destination in the future, thus the Sports Tourism Policy was essential.
Social Cohesion Minister with responsibility for sport, Dr George Norton also addressed the forum, stating: “Sports tourism is an industry with tremendous potential.”
He expressed pleasure that Guyana was taking steps to realise its potential, pointing out that the country needed to grow sports through tourism and increase tourism through sports. The Minister charged all stakeholders with making contributions to the development of sports tourism.
Meanwhile, Director General of Tourism, Donald Sinclair told the participants that since their last meeting in April, sports tourism has moved “beyond talk to action” as he handed over a sports tourism guide to the Director of Sport.
Present at the forum were representatives from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF); Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG); Draughts Association and many others. The forum was a collaboration between the GTA and the National Sports Commission through the Social Cohesion Ministry.