"A largely forested country with spectacular waterfalls, distinctively large plants and trees and a thick tropical rainforest teeming with brilliantly-coloured birds, insects and a wide variety of mammals..." That's the good news on the British Broad-casting Corporation (BBC) fact page on Guyana. But here is the rest of the sentence: "... political instability, inter-ethnic tension and economic mismanagement have left it among the world's poorest countries, with an infrastructure that is barely able to support its population."
The tourist industry in Guyana has been struggling to be viable over the last decade but is hard hit each time it seems to be getting on its feet. one blow or the other, be it political violence or the September 11 terrorist attacks that discouraged travel worldwide.
How much of a contribution has tourism made to the economy? According to those involved it has been marginal and will continue to be so unless it is "marketed in the right way."
"This needs to be done so as to tap Guyana's potential [and] some of the properties and services need upgrading", says Donald Sinclair, Execu-tive Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority. He suggests adequate training of hotel and resort staff and says the airport facilities and boat landings needs to be improved.
In spite of setbacks there have been "areas of success" says Sinclair and he estimates that tourism brings in approximately US$10.5m per year, 90% of which comes from overseas Guyanese.
It is the first-time tourist, Sinclair asserts, who remains elusive.
In this aspect, Tony Thorne, head of Wilderness Explorers says Guyana needs a "marketing focus, with a real plan, aim and purpose to it. Additionally, more resorts should be built preferably on a smaller, more intimate scale, creating an environment where the owners and clientele can interact, Thorne says.
Thorne feels the physical infrastructure must be improved including the road to Lethem which while good for tourism will greatly benefit the nation.
Stabroek Business spoke with several operators some of whom are members of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) on their views on the sector.
Carolyn Nichols of the Natural Things booth at Hibiscus Craft Plaza, as well as Shonette Barker a staff member at another booth, noted that there was a slight increase in visitors from July to August this year. Nichols told Stabroek Business that generally most of her supporters were people who came to work or are on a mission, but are not exclusively tourists. Sporting events would usually see large groups, she added.
Barker said she had noticed, a decline of overseas shoppers between September and the present. Most of the shoppers had been Guyanese back home on vacation. "They usually buy straw and shelled items, also wall plaques, and balata figurines," she said. She pointed out some wooden clocks that were a favourite with shoppers. Ironically, she said, "These (clocks) were brought in from Suriname."
At Guyana Stores, Stabroek Business was told the August holiday period was good while September to October saw a decline in overseas shoppers. According to the manager, years ago she saw more tourists and 2001-02 was better for business than this year.
Guyana Stores promotes local craft from the Pomeroon, Santa Mission, St Catherine's Mission and Georgetown with most of the work done by Amerindians.
From a Main Street artist's perspective, foreigners are a rarity. He thinks the tourism emphasis should be on Georgetown but there needs to be better security.
"Tourism needs to start from the airport all the way down to Georgetown. Tourists should not be going back in the hotel and lock up. Guyana ain't ready for tourism." He adds that the Main Street Lime does not really benefit art and craft or tourism and is just a big hangout.
An established antique dealer agreed: "People are not staying in town which is putting pressure on arts and crafts. They spend three quarters of the time in the interior.
"The powers that be should concentrate on cleaning up the city even before talking about tourism.. It could only materialize and thrive if the Ministry of Tourism and the City Council work together." He says this year was the worst he could remember.
Annette Arjoon, who helps organise tours to Shell Beach and other areas, told Stabroek Business her clientele includes persons who come for conferences as well as overseas Guyanese on holiday. Business picks up during the Easter holidays, August and December but she believes Guyana needs to attract people who have never come before.
She says while in the past she would organise four trips per week she is now happy to do four trips per month and she does not see the sector growing in the short term.
"Guyana is not really known as a tourist destination," says Mr. Abdool Ba of the Baganara Resort. "What we have in Guyana presently is basically a product that caters for excursion-type trips or events." He says the promotion of Guyana as a destination is not as extensive as it should be and recent security concerns have not helped.
Thorne admits that Guyana is "probably not" yet a recognised tourist destination. He says Wilderness Explorers caters for a primarily overseas market that has been affected over the years by the Omai spill in 1995, the election upheavals of 1997 and the 9/11 bombings. The estimated amount of tourists handled by Wilderness is between 600- 700 per year, including Guyanese both here and from abroad.
Meanwhile he says indigenous communities derive tremendous benefits from eco-tourism. The Timberhead resort for instance is located within the Amerindian community of Santa Mission, while the Surama community has created a fund to benefit villagers who want to study for a degree in forestry or to help in medical emergencies. He adds that Rockview Lodge, Dadanawa and Karanambo Ranches are surrounded by communities that receive indirect benefit(s) or employment from eco-tourist activities. Of note also is the Wai Wai community that is so remote that Wilderness Explorers may be the only tour operators to take expeditions to this part of the country and then only three times a year, so as to respect the sanctity of their way of life.
According to Andre Dukhia, the GTA Marketing Manager, Guyana, was to be represented at the World Travel Market in London on November 9-11.
Two Canadian consultants were assisting in the preparation of the Guyana delegation.
He also notes that the GTA was registering stakeholders including the Taxi and Minibus Association, THAG members and craft dealers. Registration is free and forms can be picked up from the GTA. Among the benefits for business, Dukhia explains, are free advertising and referrals.
Beverley Gonsalves, a University of Guyana Tourism student, who is attached to the THAG/CPEC (Caribbean Regional Human Resources Department Programme for Economic Competitiveness) project, emphasises that an international conference set to come off next year is probably one of their most important initiatives to be completed. Its aim would be to market Guyana; by inviting various tourist bodies to come see for themselves what the country has to offer.