Delegates awed by eco-tourism sites
By Desiree Jodah
Guyana's eco-resorts got full marks from delegates attending the Fourth Caribbean Tourism conference which ended at Le Meridien Pegasus yesterday. Delegates from as far as Germany and Australia attended the conference. On Sunday they visited some of the more popular eco-tourism sites in the country and many expressed amazement at the abundance of flora and fauna, and the pristine condition of their surroundings. Germany's Hedi Kuhney who had visited Kaieteur Falls said she had never seen a tourist site as popular without any commercial activity around it. The German journalist said it was "peacefully beautiful," and hoped that it remained as it was. "Do not turn it into a Disneyland," pleaded her male companion. Kuhney said it was the first time she had been in the rainforest, and was captivated by it. She also suggested that information about the rainforest be published in several languages. Also that the local residents should be more involved in the managing and maintaining of both the Kaieteur and Orinduik falls. They should be trained and some should have attended the conference, she opined. Haitian Harry Phillippeaux of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in Barbados was pleasantly surprised by the level of development in the Amerindian village of Annai. He said although the residents of Annai were exposed to the western culture, it was in the form of development. The PAHO representative was happy that there were schools and health centres which were manned and administered by teachers and health workers from the communities. The Iwokrama Rainforest Project was a unique one, made even more so by the feeling that it belonged to the community. He said the project's goals, objectives and expectations were clearly defined. However, he said, there was the issue of access. He urged that government increase access to the site and work to protect the eco-system. Phillippeaux who also visited the Kaieteur Falls, advised that protective barriers be placed around the falls to prevent accidents. He noted that none currently existed at the falls and that one accident could do a lot of damage to the site as a tourist attraction. Guides should be educated about risks and how to prevent accidents. He opined that Kaieteur Falls could be the centre of tourist attractions in Guyana. Caribbean World Magazine representative Kevin Wooff, unlike his German counterparts, would like to see small lodges built within the vicinity of the park for overnight visitors. Wooff said he was told that the falls was more beautiful at sunrise when the songs of the birds mingle with the howling of the monkeys and other sounds of the wild. Specialists trips could be arranged for tourists who want to overnight, he suggested. Wooff, who not only visited the falls, but also the Baganara, Baracara and Shanklands resorts on Essequibo river, said he was in awe of their beauty, the abundance of flora and fauna, the rivers and easy access. Only an hour to get to Kaieteur by plane, be in the rainforest and get to resorts on the river in one day was almost too good to be true. He said in other parts of the world where eco-tourism exists, it took almost a day to get to one of the sites. Guyana could use this to its benefit. Wooff would recommend no changes to the resorts on the river. The condition of the road to the Lake Mainstay Resort was the only complaint, Deonarine Ramkarran of Kali Travels, New York had. He said he was surprised by the size and beauty of Mainstay. Ramkarran said the experience was great and the food was excellent. Directors of Mainstay are currently in discussion with government on the rehabilitation of the road. Brian Farrell of St Kitts was enthralled by the naturalness of the Baganara and Baracara resorts and Bartica. He could not think of any improvement to these places, but noted that owners could probably find ways to enhance them. Farrell was fascinated by the Essequibo River. He said he thought he was in the sea. They all agreed that eco-tourism was Guyana's prime product.
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