A United States-based candidate has been appointed as the new Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Minister of State Joseph Harmon announced yesterday.
Brian Mullis replaces Indranauth Haralsingh, who had been acting in the position of GTA Director for some time.Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday, Harmon disclosed that Cabinet approved the appointment.
He explained that Mullis was selected from a list of seven applicants who had responded to local and international advertisements for the position.
“The appointment of a new Director of Tourism is part of the restructuring of the Guyana Tourism Authority which began in early 2017 and is expected to boost the development of sustainable tourist destinations, especially in the hinterland and to promote strategic marketing of ‘Destination Guyana,’” Harmon said.
When asked subsequently, the minister was unable to say how many locals applied for the position but stressed that the selection process was very transparent and lasted several months before a final decision was made.
Asked what had become of Haralsingh, Harmon made it clear that he was acting in the position and that the intention was to ensure that there was someone who was confirmed. “So everyone who wanted to be a confirmed person was given an opportunity to present themselves,” he stressed.
Mullis’ appointment follows the government’s recent approval of a US$95,000 contract to a UK-based tourism marketing consultancy. The contract awarded to Acorn Tourism Consulting Limited is for the procurement of digital marketing services on behalf of the Ministry of Business.
