OAS assigns expert to aid tourist industry here Guyana Chronicle September 10, 1998 THE Organisation of American States (OAS) has contracted Bahamian national and former Director of Tourism in Trinidad, Mr Clifford Hamilton to assist the local Department of Tourism put mechanisms in place for advancing its thrust. OAS Country Director in Guyana, Mr Michael Wylie, who made the announcement Tuesday, said he envisages that a Tourism Board would have been established by the end of the expert's three-month stint, started September 1. Speaking at the orientation meeting of the National Committee on Tourism Awareness (NCTA) in Ocean View International Hotel, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, Wylie said the Board and a Tourism Authority are prerequisites before any legislation for the sector can be presented to Parliament, for enhancing the industry. Noting that the business here is still young and in embryo stage, the diplomat expressed confidence, though, that, by the completion of Hamilton's contract, there will be a better idea as to the way forward for tourism in this country. Nevertheless, he would urge the OAS to continue its financial aid, Wylie said. He said the Tuesday caucus was yet another effort by the hemispheric body, through its inter-sectorial unit for tourism and in conjunction with the Trinidad consultancy, to help the Guyana Government develop tourism. Wylie said other countries have already derived benefit from the same project, that is designed to bring about an attitudinal change. "It is not only an industry... it not only affects your pocket book, but it affects social and cultural aspects as well as the lifestyle of individuals," he observed, agreeing that the industry is on the right track. He reminded those who may have invested huge sums of money and are anxious to see immediate returns that tourism here is still in its infancy and, while the anxiety is understood, it would be some time before any payback can be realised.