Discussion on the twinning of Barbados and Guyana as a tourism product is advancing and the teams have identified three possible products for marketing, acting Director of Guyana Tourism Authority, Kamrul Baksh said.
The Barbados/ Guyana tourism product will be marketed as an adventure-relaxation experience.
“We’re actually coming up with a theme for the twinning of the countries and a full-fledged marketing, blueprint and plan,” Baksh said during an interview with this newspaper. Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond was also a part of the interview.
Expanding on the tourism products conceptualised to date, Baksh offered, “About three options really, we were looking at. Culture and heritage in Guyana because, you know, we’re known for that. We have a diversity. So, you know, looking at the whole metropolitan city area, built heritage, cultural heritage, and that’s one aspect of it. Secondly, we’re looking like at nature and nature walks like soft adventure. So looking at the hinterland regions within the Rupununi area, even Iwokrama …So having some of the best eco experiences that we have in Guyana with the best of Barbados. And there’s also the hard adventure that we’re also pursuing in the adventure market. So the horseback riding that we’re known for, the hiking, the kayaking and you know, trekking to the water falls and these sorts of things, so it’s going to be a bit more on that side of nature adventure in Guyana and then you go to Barbados to relax, have great food, you know and the sun, sand, and sea.”
Under the marketing of the product, tourists will be able to book a package that contains a single itinerary with activities in both countries.
“…Person can come to Guyana to explore the nature, adventure and culture, and then you can go over to Barbados and you know, unwind and relax, because that’s the type of product that they have,” the tourism agency head said.
Minister Walrond added that Guyana and Barbados are also looking at developing the heritage tourism aspect given similarities shared by the two countries.
“We are also looking at the culture and heritage tourism to highlight the similarities, the things that we have in common between Barbados and Guyana. We have diaspora in Barbados as well. Many [Guyanese have roots in Barbados and likewise many Barbadians have roots here]. My grandfather is Bajan. And so we have a lot of similarities to rum, coconut, and so we are looking to build out a product and experience coming out from a similarities of heritage and culture,” Walrond underscored.
Local tour operators have already been exposed to some of the products on the Barbadian tourism market that will be paired with their products here.
The Barbadians are soon to visit Guyana and benefit from an information and experience session to become knowledgeable of the tourism products on the Guyana market. The teams are working assiduously to finalise the marketing plan.
When asked how much money is being pumped into the development of such a product, Baksh stated that for the marketing development they have allocated some US $10,000 for this year. This was a portion of this year’s budgetary allocation.
The GTA Director went on to explain that once the plan is complete and approved they will move into execution and advertising of the product.
“We will be working with our trade chains in the key source markets, in the EU, UK, North America and even the Caribbean. So to push this joint or multi-destination plan,” Baksh said.
He explained further that Guyana will be branded on joint communications and promotional materials and will be attending trade shows jointly. This partnership he said is integral as they move forward and look at ways in “upselling” the tourism products and showcase to people what they are “missing out” on.
Under the marketing plan, both countries will utilise their existing platforms and marketing representatives to also promote the new product.
Against the backdrop of the similarities and culture, Baksh disclosed that the organisers of the Barbados Rum Festival are looking at launching this year’s festival here. This will give them an opportunity and avenue to showcase the products and experiences the two country offer.
“…that’s one of their major events on their national calendar and they will be utilising or using that opportunity to have trade persons here to operate just to explore the destination so that they can, you know, sell on this multi-destination package.”
Almost a year ago, President Irfaan Ali while in Barbados for the Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) held discussions with Prime Minster Mia Mottley to better their bilateral relationship.
Among the initiatives agreed on, the twinning of the countries’ tourism products as a single product was agreed on.
Since then discussions have been ongoing.
“So, we agreed, both Prime Minister Mottley and I, that we will exchange 45 minutes of air time for the promotion of Barbados in Guyana and for the promotion of Guyana in Barbados. In addition to this, we agreed on working out the mechanism for the twinning of our tourism product, for the joint marketing of our tourism product and to promote Guyana and Barbados as a common destination,” he outlined during a press conference in Barbados.
During a visit to the UK, earlier this year, Ali also played up Guyana’s tourism opportunities and experiences.
President Ali during one of his presentations with potential European investors ‘talked up’ a local multi-dimensional tourism sector which successive political administrations have tried but failed to successfully ‘sell’ to a lucrative international tourism market.
We need a big player in the market, and I’m telling you, the government is ready to support such a player. We are ready to work on a long-term arrangement in bringing that player into the market,” the Guyanese President said, asserting that there is need for a ‘re-engineering’ of the way in which the country’s mostly nature-based tourism sector is seen. The Department of Public Information quoted the President as calling for a “re-engineering” of the way in which the tourism industry is seen, asserting that it was his hope that the discourse with the British and other European tourism officials would have addressed what is required for Guyana to attain its potential of becoming a major player in the sector.
President Ali reportedly pointed to the differences in the tourism product offered by different countries in the Caribbean pointing out that while the Sandals Resorts in the Caribbean focusses on exotic tourism packages based on blue water and white sand this product could be combined with the nature-based tourism which Guyana has to offer, the combination serving to provide the market with a whole new product. They could offer the same services in Guyana while combining it with Barbados to offer a whole new product.
“So you take, three in Barbados and three in Guyana, and you get two rich experiences. That is where the real opportunity is,” Ali was quoted as saying.
