Georgetown, GINA, April 07, 2008

Tour operators in the local tourism industry were exposed to best practices in ecotourism at a workshop held at the British High Commissioner’s Residence hosted by British High Commissioner, Fraser Wheeler.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad noted that, this workshop aims to train and prepare birding guides and others in the tourism industry to cater for the influx of visitors that will be coming to Guyana. The Tourism Minister noted that this workshop is a significant step for the tourism industry and its development. “We are on the right path and this workshop…, if all goes well for the future because we need to be better, we need to sharpen out skills, and we need to be trained as to how we can take advantage of the resources that Guyana possesses,” Minister Prashad said.
Further, he noted that while this initiative is being taken by the British High Commission, his Ministry along with the Guyana Tourism Authority will play its part. “When it comes to training we will spare no effort, we have to invest to train our people,” he said.
British High Commissioner to Guyana, Fraser Wheeler said ecotourism holds the prospect of economic development without damaging the forest which will be a significant resource for the future, both in terms of its carbon holding potential and its harbouring of bio-diversity.
He noted that Guyana’s natural competitive advantage in ecotourism is dependent on how it is put into practice. “It is in that context that the British Government is delighted to be supporting the development of good practices in ecotourism in Guyana,” he said.
Judy Karwacki of Small Planet Consulting in Canada said Guyana is in a very good position for ecotourism development. “The biggest thing that people always comment about is that they are totally shocked at what Guyana has to offer, in terms of the pristine ecotourism environment.”
She noted that, “Guyana is one of the world’s last wild places and this is such an important edge that you have; it is just incredible. It’s not something that anyone can buy; you have an asset that is irreplaceable.”
Karwacki complemented the British High Commission for its help in protecting Guyana’s asset. She noted that the Commission feels that it is paramount that best practices and certification programme be brought into Guyana to ensure that its resources are protected.
The project is based on Conservation International’s ‘A Practical Guide to Good Practice for Tropical Forest Based Tours’, and intends to promote sustainable tourism development in Guyana by creating awareness that the proper planning, management and promotion of environmental and social good practices are essential to develop a sustainable and viable tourism industry.
The British High Commissioner said, “The project aims to provide the training and tools to tourism providers to adopt good management practices so as to maximise their effectiveness in a sensitive ecological environment and fully protect the very places that are the tourist attractions.”
Karwacki who is also attached to the Guyana Tourism Authority/USAID/GTIS birding and nature tourism programme, will be leading the planning and implementation of the project along with Stacey dos Santos from Concepts Marketing.
The project is an initiative of the British High Commissioner and will cost ?20,000.
Today’s workshop will continue on April 8, followed by the second on April 9-10 at Bina Hill Institute in Annai, and a third at Lethem that is tentatively slated for 3-4 June.
Conservation International, Rainforest Alliance and the United Nations Environment Programme published the new guide in March 2008. It was designed specially to help tropical forest-based tour operators work in a more sustainable manner. Guyana is the first destination to hold an interactive workshop featuring the guide.