The first Agri-Tourism Expo, which is expected to showcase everything each region in Guyana has to offer in relation to agriculture and tourism, was launched yesterday.
The expo is to be held under the theme ‘Linking agriculture and tourism for a green economy,’ at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre from October 31st to November 2nd.
At the launch of the expo, held at the Herdmanston Lodge in Georgetown, Guyana Tourism Authority Travel and Development Officer Candace Phillips said the event will feature crafts and foods from every region across Guyana.
A cultural display and fashion extravaganza are also planned. Attendees will be able to see, smell and buy food from every region. There will also be a farmer’s market so attendees can buy fresh produce and a floral section, which will display a variety of flowers that can be found in the country. Homemade products made from coconuts and bees will be displayed in quantities. A bee safari is also planned as are tours of the sugar estates.
Each of the ten regions will have a booth to showcase what it has to offer in terms of agriculture and tourism. However, only regions Two and Nine had confirmed their attendance up to yesterday. While the exhibition is in progress, there will also be a forum for discussion about how agri-tourism can be taken to another level. More information regarding the expo will be shared on the Ministry of Business’ Facebook page during the coming weeks.
All ten regions have reportedly been tasked with developing concepts to highlight their strengths in both sectors. “We will just be highlighting what already exists at a regional level,” Phillips stated.
Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes, who delivered the feature address at the launch, commended the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) for its efforts to continue to “aggressively market Guyana.” She revealed that the Farmers Market App, which is an agricultural product exchange app that will connect producers and buyers of agriculture products on a vast market place and which will also help transform the agriculture industry, will also be in display at the expo.
The idea of the expo was born after the huge success of the Coconut Festival. In 2016, Hughes and Holder signed an agreement that set the stage for cooperation, dialogue and the teaming expertise in tourism, ICT and agriculture.
