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Challenges to hinterland tourism

Sep 28, 2014 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

On September 27th Guyana joined the rest of the world in observing World Tourism Day (WTD). The theme for this year was, “Tourism and Community Development”
According to the UN website the theme “draws special attention to the role of tourism in contributing to one of the building blocks of a more sustainable future for all: Community development.
As a sector representing 9% of global GDP, one in 11 jobs worldwide, and a key revenue sector for developing and emerging economies, tourism is widely acknowledged for its capacity to respond to global challenges. The consolidation of tourism’s economic influence has built up its social responsibility and political relevance, with a growing number of countries allocating a stronger mandate to tourism in economic and development policy planning.
With the special focus on the community, WTD 2014 highlights how tourism can be conducive to advancing sustainable development from the grassroots level. Community based tourism involves the local population in the decision making process according to local priorities. The opportunity to become part of the tourism value chain actively involves host communities in the development process. Tourism thus becomes a catalyst of social cohesion, going beyond the immediate impact of job creation and its positive economic consequences and enhances, for instance, local governance capabilities which multiply the tourism impact even further.”
The Guyana tourism product has faced many challenges and thanks in large to the players in the private sector, the hope of a viable tourism industry is kept alive. Despite a city overflowing with garbage, semi-naked and mentally challenged persons walking the streets, chaotic traffic that threaten limb if not life, almost daily reports of gun-toting criminals on the attack and architectural masterpieces such as City Hall falling into disrepair, the hardy operators in the tourism industry have withstood the test of time and managed to keep hope alive. The Alliance for Change applauds their efforts!
Of recent, as more attention turns to eco-tourism, hinterland communities have started exploring possible opportunities to tap into the tourist market. Set in the heart of Guyana, hinterland communities offer breathtaking scenery, clean air, a chance for tourists to connect with nature as they explore dense jungles, precipitous mountainsides or never-ending savannahs. Whether it’s a relaxing vacation or research expedition, there is something there for every tourist. But all of this may be in danger as the Government encourages investors in the mining sector.
Let it be made clear, the Alliance For Change is not against growth in the mining sector. We recognise that mining today is competing with agriculture as the main foreign exchange earner and may be the leading industry in providing jobs for our young people. However, growth in the mining sector must be measured against the impact on the environment and the preservation of the culture and way of life of our Amerindian peoples.
According to the Amerindian Act (2006) the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC) is the first authority a miner must secure in order to conduct mining activities on Amerindian lands. It is only after securing the authority of the GGMC that the miner approaches the village. In the case of large scale mining, a decision by the village not to entertain mining on village lands can be overturned by the Minister.
Section 50 of the Amerindian Act allows the Government to override the Amerindian veto for large scale mining. The decision is made by the Minister responsible for mining and Minister of Amerindian Affairs, and they determine the fees and tributes to be paid to the village. The elected officials of the village have no say in this matter.
So while village leaders and the community may prefer to retain their pristine state as they pursue the tourist market, the Government may have a different agenda. This being the case, there is need for the conversation of the use and ownership of Amerindian ancestral lands to continue. National development must be compatible with preservation of cultures.

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