Tourism sector to market Guyana with US$1M app

Dec 07, 2021 News

Kaieteur News – The Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), on Thursday last, launched the US$1M ‘Beyond Tourism’ application (app) which was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Minister of Tourism, Oneidge Walrond delivers remarks during the launch of the ‘Discover Guyana’ app

The IDB project, aims to reverse the 42 percent decline, which the tourism sector faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, while at same time, advancing digital transformation to boost economic growth through technology and maintaining a safe eco-tourism amid the pandemic.
The first mobile application, ‘Discover Guyana’ was designed specifically for persons travelling to, and around the country, in order to provide real time information on safeguards, standards and certified providers at each stage of their inbound travel to the region.
The system involves two key components geared towards promoting and protecting the health and safety needs of the Rupununi’s eco-tourism industry, namely a series of protocols tailored for that locale and the two mobile apps—developed by local technology company V75 Inc.
Using the app, tourists can plan their trips by viewing the GTA’s certified tourism establishment profiles, communicate directly with tourism providers, and add required health records for easy screening during travel.

Ms. Lorena Solorzano Salazar, IDB country representative

Meanwhile, the second mobile application, ‘Discover Guyana Tourism Service Providers’ allows tourism service providers to create profiles for their establishments, demonstrate their COVID-19 certification information to travellers, respond to inquiries, and access up-to-date health information to keep both their staff and visitors safe.
The ‘app’ also boasts a check-in system that will require travellers to check in and out of lodges and answer periodic questions about their health in order to track a visitor’s travel history in the event of a positive COVID-19 case.
IDB country representative, Lorena Solorzano Salazar, during the launching ceremony observed, “…At the IDB, we embrace the digital transformation. It is an easy development priority and a key pillar of the bank’s vision 2025, to help to stimulate economic recovery and foster inclusive growth.”

Discover Guyana Application

She said, “I am particularly delighted to be here at the launch of this beyond tourism, safe lodges, safe guests, safe communities’ initiative and I would like to congratulate the team effort of the GTA, the IDB , DIA Global and of course, Wilderness Explorer, for your commitment to this project of safe travel, and safe communities and bringing this concept into fruition.’
Tourism Minister, Oneidge Walrond was also on hand for the launch, said the app does show agility and resilience and that initiatives “like this, represent the kind of assurance that our visitors will have when they come to Destination Guyana…”

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