Tourism development plan final report submitted --THAG objects to claims of deficiency Stabroek News June 13, 1999 The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) has reacted sharply to a report carried on the VCT Channel 28 Evening News with regard to the Integrated National Tourism and Management Plan for the establishment of a Tourism Authority. According to the association, the VCT news reported that "sources within the Ministry of Trade and Tourism and the Office of the Organisation of American States (OAS) believe that the report is substandard and deficient and does not meet the terms of reference." But THAG claims that this has never been substantiated. A press release from THAG stated that the document, prepared by OAS Consultant Cliff Hamilton, gives the Government of Guyana a tool with which it can make significant progress towards the development and promotion of the tourism sector. THAG said that after the completion of the project, the ministry had ample time between the period January and April, 1999, to air its concerns in the correct manner. While the ministry might not have been in favour of many of the recommendations made in the report, it had been unable to produce evidence to substantiate the claims of the terms of reference not being met or the report being substandard, THAG said. The association emphasised that there was a six-month delay between the submission of the document in November 1998, and a public consultation in May 1999. "This is sufficient amount of time by anyone's reckoning to detail the substandard and deficient nature of the document," THAG said. The association said also, that "the sources within the ministry," who appear to have concerns about the report, did not attend the consultation. THAG stated that the correct procedure was followed and all persons involved in the tourism sector had been given the opportunity to give their input. "We are now at the stage where we can continue this process and put the Tourism Authority in place." Head of the Tourism Unit, University of Guyana (UG), Donald Sinclair, and Dean of the Faculty of Arts of UG, Al Creighton, had facilitated the consultation process. THAG contends that the consultation would have afforded an excellent opportunity to "discuss any concerns, to ask questions on why specific recommendations were made and to inform stakeholders of their deep misgivings." The association further noted that there were no representatives from the Tourism Division or the OAS at the forum. It also said that no written submissions have been made to the University of Guyana Tourism Study Unit, which facilitated the process. The association had requested details of the Tourism Division's concerns, which were serious enough to warrant the division's recommendation that the consultant's final payment be withheld. However, according to THAG, the concerns submitted were not sufficient enough on the advice of a government legal adviser, to give the government adequate reason to break its contract with the consultant. The plan was the result of a direct recommendation from the OAS-funded National Plan for Eco-Tourism Development (1994-1998). The terms of reference for the project were designed by Dr George Vincent from the OAS General Secretariat in Washington, former permanent secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry, Ramesh Sharma, THAG and the Tourism Division. According to THAG, the final and approved terms of reference have been met. Meanwhile, Sinclair has presented Minister of Tourism, Michael Shree Chan, with the final report. According to a press release from the Ministry of Tourism, the final document was presented on Thursday as a proposal to Shree Chan for Cabinet's approval so that the legal framework could be pursued to bring the Tourism Authority into existence. The ministry is confident that the final report will provide the impetus for the efforts concentrated towards implementing the recommendations contained in the report, as part of government's continued efforts at sustainable tourism development. The plan briefly outlines a marketing strategy to boost tourism arrivals for Guyana and offers a series of highly detailed and specific recommendations for the composition of the board. Executive Director of THAG, Colette Mc Dermott, told this newspaper that while the plan recommends that the Tourism Authority comprise not less than seven persons and not more than 11, that a number of participants felt that a board of nine would be acceptable. The board members would be responsible for policy, planning, deciding and monitoring issues related to the tourism authority. The plan recommends that the board be made up of the following: the permanent secretary of the Tourism Ministry who shall be appointed by the minister, three persons nominated by the THAG, two nominated by the Private Sector Commission, one nominated by UG, two nominated by the Aircraft Owners Association, one nominated from among Amerindian non-governmental organisations and one from an internationally recognised environmental body. Three non-voting members were also recommended. They will include an executive director, a secretary to the board and a legal counsel. A person may be appointed to hold office for such period not exceeding two years and shall be eligible for re-appointment. According to Creighton, the recommendation that a tourism promotion company be established to market Guyana was not accepted as it was felt that its functions would be duplicated by the board of the Tourism Authority. According to Hamilton's recommendations, the functions of the authority shall be to promote tourism worldwide and exercise general supervision, strategic direction and to assist in the overall facilitation and efficient development of the tourism industry. Without restricting the general functions, the authority shall design, encourage and implement suitable marketing strategies for the effective promotion of the tourism industry; promote throughout the country an understanding of the implementation, importance and benefits of tourism; promote and enhance provision for increased and sustained air, sea and land transport services to and from the country; encourage and facilitate the development of amenities designed to attract tourists; develop, recommend and implement training programmes for persons employed in the tourism industry; and provide or assist in the provision of training facilities for persons employed or seeking employment in the tourism industry or for other persons providing services in tourism related industries. Some 15 specific functions were spelt out and included among those already listed were that the authority shall recommend and support standards of performance for all sectors of the tourism industry, particularly for institutions that provide training programmes for persons employed or seeking employment in the industry; conduct, collect, evaluate and facilitate research in tourism and related subjects; compile and publish information relevant to tourism; promote within Guyana an understanding and appreciation for the importance of environmental protection, pollution control and conservation of natural resources; and advise the Guyana Government on all aspects of tourism and matters affecting tourism. The recommendations include attendance at meetings and removal from the board; declaration of interest; and the functions of the secretary, legal counsel and executive director. A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples