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“Believe in your own products”
-Irfaan Ali urges at launch of Tourism Awareness Month 2013
“We need to stop offering tourists Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes for breakfast, and give them some bananas and star apples.”
These were the sentiments shared by Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce (Ag), Irfaan Ali during a simple ceremony held at the International Conference Centre to launch the 19th Tourism Awareness Month.
In addressing the gathering of Private Sector members, diplomats and other special invitees, Minister Ali said that the way forward for the tourism industry and Guyana as a whole would entail the people believing in, and promoting local products.
Tourism Awareness Month 2013 is being observed under the theme “Communication and Information Sharing for Tourism Development.”
Minister Ali said that the launching of the significant month which commenced yesterday comes with a bitter sweet feeling.
He noted that although Guyana’s tourism industry is ahead of other countries by 13 percent, the country still has a considerably long way to go.
Testimony to this he said is the fact that Guyana is still observing the initiation phase – Tourism “Awareness” Month.
Nonetheless, in commemoration of this “significant” month, the Ministry of Tourism, under the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), has a number of activities planned.
These include a World Travel Market to London, a Bartenders’ Cocktail Competition, the Inaugural Leguan Night, a Bird-Watching event scheduled to be held at the Botanical Gardens, a Restaurant Operations Workshop, and a Communication/Public Relations seminar.
The Minister also disclosed plans of hosting a dinner on Fort Island titled ‘Romancing the Fort’.
He noted that despite what persons may say about these and other places being cultural heritage sites, activities need to be held to ensure that people know about the areas.
Ali explained that ‘Romancing the Fort’ will allow for persons to dine under the stars as they observe the beauty of the Fort and its surroundings.
The Minister highlighted that for the recently concluded Duck Curry Competition alone, Guyana welcomed in excess of 200 tourists.
Minister Ali said that billions of dollars are being plugged into the tourism industry, and that Guyana is currently receiving a number of investment initiatives from foreign entities, but stressed that the quality of what is offered locally needs to be improved.
Minister Ali also highlighted that approximately 10,000 people are employed within the tourism sector.
He noted that already for this year, Guyana has been featured in 12 international publications, and is receiving significant interest from foreign investors.
Touching on future plans, Ali said there is an upcoming launch of a direct flight service from Guyana to the United States on December 4, and that a new golf course will be constructed on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
He also mentioned the construction of a five-star restaurant, two new hotels and several eco-tourism resorts.
The Minister also revealed that the government, aided by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is looking to establish a National Institute of Hospitality here.
Meanwhile, the inaugural South Rupununi Savannah Safari was also officially launched by Former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta and his fellow coordinator of the event, Frank Singh.
This event will commence on November 27 and end on December 1.
The launch ended with the cutting of a cake by Minister Ali and Executive Member of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Andrea DeCaires.
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