Guyana puts focus on ‘green gold’ for World Tourism Day

Sep 26, 2010 News

The government remains committed to safeguarding the country’s natural treasures and “green gold” (the rainforest), Minister of Tourism Manniram Prashad says as the country observes World Tourism Day tomorrow.
The theme for this year’s observance is “Tourism and Biodiversity.”
In a statement, Prashad said that biodiversity is a key tourism asset and fundamental to its sustained growth.
“Intact and healthy ecosystems form the cornerstone of thousands of tourist enterprises and products worldwide, attracting hundreds of millions of tourists each year.”
He said that for years, the people of Guyana have demonstrated real commitment to the preservation of nature and biodiversity, most notably as it relates to the country’s still largely intact tropical rainforest.
“In Guyana, tourism and biodiversity are a natural fit as we are promoting ourselves as a pristine nature and eco destination with its unique natural wonders and high biodiversity,” Prashad states.

Minister of Tourism Manniram Prashad

More than 80 per cent of Guyana is still covered by pristine forests, and it is one of the countries with the highest biodiversity in the world.
“Testament to the country’s commitment towards protecting the environment is President Bharrat Jagdeo who has been leading the way in ensuring our future sustainability, and was awarded the prestigious 2010 Champions of the Earth Award by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), for his outstanding international leadership on combating climate change and his pioneering model on low carbon economic development.
“We recognise that tourism has an important role to play in protecting our biodiversity, and Guyana – the Amazon Adventure has been moving towards sustainable tourism attracting nature lovers, adventure seekers, and the eco tourist-alike with our rich blend of flora and fauna, and natural beauty, and has been exploring niche markets such as birding tourism, community-based tourism, and agro-tourism,” Prashad noted.
He recognised Iwokrama as a model of conservation and sustainability, given that Iwokrama is one of Guyana’s protected areas, occupying one million acres of forest and where partnerships with local communities and the private sector combine traditional knowledge, science and business to develop ‘green’, socially responsible and sustainable forest products and offers the opportunity for an exceptional natural experience.
Minister Prashad also highlighted the fact that this year’s theme for GuyExpo is reflective of the importance of sustainability and the need to safeguard the environment. The theme is: “Promoting Investment in a Sustainable Environment.”