Nicola Balram
December 7 2019
Global travel magazine ‘Condé Nast Traveler’ has listed Guyana as one of its suggested 20 destinations to visit in 2020 and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) says is not only an honour but sees it adding to the exposure that the oil and gas sector will bring.
“There are 196 countries in the world and there are numerous destinations globally. For one of the largest international travel magazines to list us is a great honour and the exposure is great for this country,” Nicola Balram, Senior Officer of Marketing at the GTA told Stabroek News yesterday.
“The oil and gas sector sheds a light on Guyana that hasn’t been shed before and we would also expect it to contribute to increasing numbers,” she added.
But Balram was quick to point out that the GTA is also cognisant that the oil and gas operations could impact the environment and will be vigilant in keeping a balance between the preservation of the environment and promoting eco-tourism. “With oil and gas, a lot of the conversation comes about with the preservation of the rainforest and people… our duty is to work with these companies to ensure the environment is protected. We will work at that while at the same time promote the eco-tourism sector,” she noted.
The GTA Senior Marketing Officer explained that one of the writers from Condé Nast was in Guyana this year and saw firsthand what this country offers.
“You don’t need a crystal ball to predict big changes in Guyana’s near future. Our advice: Get there before a rumored Starbucks does,” Sarah Khan writes in the Condé Nast Traveler entry on Guyana, which notes the growing interest in the country driven by the discovery of oil in 2015.
The GTA has been fervently working with marketing representatives in the United States and Canada to promote this country “We are working to get Guyana on top of the media. The GTA has been working hard. We also have market reps in the United Kingdom and Germany and we also work with a number of publications within those four markets but we promote everywhere,” Balram said.
In August of this year, Guyana was awarded the Destination Stewardship Award by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) during the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards, which was held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The GTA noted that the CTO’s awards identify and showcase sustainable tourism good practices among the CTO’s 26 members. It explained, “The awards recognise individuals, groups, organisations or companies in any of the CTO’s member countries that are implementing initiatives that embrace sustainable tourism concepts and core values. These initiatives should also help to enhance the country’s tourism product offerings and advance sustainable and responsible tourism in the Caribbean.”
The Destination Stewardship Award, the GTA added, highlights a country, region, town, village or community that is making solid strides towards sustainable tourism management at the destination-level. It said, “Recipients of the award are recognised for ongoing and integrated initiatives and programs designed to improve sustainable tourism planning and promote the widespread adoption of good practices, ensure multi-stakeholder engagement, address social and community issues, foster economic linkages, preserve cultural heritage and protect the environment.”
Guyana was this year also recognised as the world’s “Best in Ecotourism” and one of the Top 10 Sustainable Destinations by the Green Destination Foundation and ITB Berlin, and it also received recognition for the best destination video at the Golden City Gate Foundation at ITB. Also, in June, Guyana was recognised as the “Best in Sustainable Tourism” by the Latin American Travel Association (LATA), the GTA said.
Observers have said that it is yet to be seen if these accolades will result in a substantial rise in tourist arrivals and whether the requisite facilities will be available here to handle such an increase.
