Preparations are moving apace for the 13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development that which will be used to showcase Guyana’s nature and eco-tourism potential and attract more visitors.
According to the Government Information Agency (GINA) 400 tourists are expected to attend the event which will also highlight the country’s domestic and sustainable tourism potential in an effort to boost visitor arrivals here. Tourist arrivals have seen a five per cent increase over the 2010 figure, the release said.
A team from the CTO on Wednesday concluded a three-day inspection of hotels, guest houses and the Guyana International Conference Centre where the forum will be hosted from April 15-18. Henry said the inspection also provided the opportunity to discuss important tourism issues. In 2011, the Surama Eco-Lodge was recognised among the best in its class for prime attraction destinations. This year, the awards have been expanded to include accommodation, community benefit, heritage protection and bio-diversity conservation. To further promote the country’s tourism product, government is partnering with several private sector bodies to develop different areas of tourism to attract tourists to Guyana.
“It is going to be an interesting conference as we will also be bringing in experts not only in tourism, but other areas which will help delegates attending to learn quite a lot,” Gail Henry, CTO Sustainable Tourism Product Specialist and Communications Specialist said.
The CTO award will also be a major feature during the forum. “Guyana hosted the conference back in 2000 and it was very successful, by all reports and we are striving to ensure that this one is even more successful. To ensure that this is possible we are working closely with the Guyana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism,” she said. The CTO conference was initiated in 1997 and seeks to highlight sustainable tourism issues. It will be held under the theme, “Keeping the Right Balance- Sustaining Our Resources.”
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (ag) Irfaan Ali said government was pleased to again host such an important event. The conference will help to reshape the way in which tourism is viewed in Guyana and while the country is known for its diverse eco and sustainable tourism potential, government sees the event as an opportunity to market this on the international scene.
“We in Guyana are in the forefront of the global struggle to ensure that nature is preserved, to ensure that economic development occurs in a sustainable manner and, that gives us the right platform through which we can present our case,” he said.
“This is a very appropriate time for the event to be held in Guyana, especially when the country has over 40 million acres of pristine rainforest under protection…the Surama Eco-lodge village won the excellence in sustainable tourism award and we are confident that our nomination this year, will also be successful,” Ali added.
An agro-exhibition will also be held. “It is very important for us to tap into new markets and as such, we hope that we can utilize this opportunity to promote this aspect of what nature ensures we can offer to the Caribbean, which is sustainable food supply,” he said.
