Newly-appointed Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes is focusing on implementing a new international marketing plan to better boost tourism in Guyana.
Hughes told Stabroek News in an invited comment on Wednesday that high on her agenda is the hospitality school and eco-tourism.
She stated that Guyana has a lot to offer as it relates to eco-tourism, while noting that too many people are bored with the “blue water and white sand” tourism and crave a different destination experience. Therefore, she said, it was important to promote Guyana as the ultimate tourist destination.
Still, she stated that this is a challenge since most foreigners do not know about Guyana. Thus, she stated, it is imperative to have airlines on board to better promote tourism.
Hughes also stated that she was examining the high cost to travel to Guyana and the implementation of concessions for small hotels to better lift their service.
She stated that there is an urgency to improve the standard of hospitality offered to Guyanese and tourists alike. “We are looking at multi-destination tourism,” she said, before adding that she is prepared to work hard on implementing a multi-destination tourism strategy.
She said that she will discuss more of her plans for the tourism sector as they materialise.
Hughes was sworn in as Minister of Tourism on Wednesday by President David Granger. She is media specialist with extensive knowledge of the Caribbean media and advertising environment. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) Degree in Mass Communications.