Guyana about to price itself out of tourism market - THAG

Kaieteur News
May 4, 2007

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The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) has been informed through recognised destinations that Guyana is about to price itself out of the market.

This was revealed yesterday when the body presented to members its Annual Report for 2006.

“The geographical landscape, the vast distances and rivers to cross, inadequate and inappropriate transportation in interior locations, all make tourism in Guyana an expensive commodity” President of the entity, Mrs Cathy Hughes, said.

She added that coupled with cricket fever was the introduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the association lobbied long and hard for the Tourism sector to be zero-rated, to no avail.

“After careful research and the production of a policy paper on VAT that was distributed to all stakeholders, THAG focused on networking with agencies and preparing members for its implementation.

“In January 2006, THAG took the rising concerns to the Parliamentary Select Committee, and later in the year, at a meeting with the Minister of Finance.”

She added that the Association also participated in several workshops, and working closely with the GRA VAT Implementation Unit-hosted and organised training on the issue of VAT.

In January, she said, VAT was implemented, and although some investment concessions previously offered to the developing sector still remained, the product has become sixteen percent more expensive.

Company Secretary of the entity, Maureen Paul, noted that tourism is not an industry that develops overnight, and is not always glamorous.

Cathy Hughes highlighted the achievements of the entity, stating that Guyana 's hosting of Cricket World Cup (CWC) in 2007 steered the activities of the THAG for 2006.

She noted that in preparation for the event THAG worked assiduously, participating on several committees and working closely with the Guyana Tourism Authority, the Local Organising Committee and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce to prepare Guyana for a successful hosting of Cricket World Cup.

British High Commissioner to Guyana , Fraser Wheeler, noted that CWC has provided a vital catalyst for the tourism Sector but Guyana must fully utilise the experience gained.

He noted that Guyana is second to none with birding potential, which represents a high-end market.