No government support for London travel expo -tourism association
The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) is disturbed that "there was no government support, financial or otherwise" or government representatives at the crucial World Travel Market (WTM) gathering in London last month. A release from the association says that THAG owes a London caterer some 1,700 pounds sterling for snacks served at a reception it hosted in conjunction with the Latin American Travel Association. Stabroek News has been unable to contact Tourism Minister, Geoffrey Da Silva, for a comment on THAG's release as the minister is out of the country. This newspaper has also been unable to get a comment from any other senior official in the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry on the issue. THAG said that the event, which was held from November 15 to 19, was the largest ever WTM. Some 164 countries were represented at the event and an estimated 750,000 visitors mainly from the travel trade business visited. THAG said that government had initially responded positively to its request for co-sponsorship of the THAG/LATA reception. While invitations for the reception had to be sent out in July, government was unable to confirm funding as of seven days before the reception. The reception was held on November 16. At this stage, THAG said, it was too late to cancel the reception and embarrass the country. LATA is a London-based trade organisation which targets and channels the efforts of travel agents, tour operators, European and international media, national tourism offices and governments whose objectives are to increase the number of visitors from Europe to Latin America. The annual reception is one of the major events arranged by LATA and according to THAG it was "an excellent opportunity for Guyana, a little known South American destination, to attract the attention of a large number of persons interested in our type of product". Given government's spending on the Main `Big Lime', THAG said that its request of US$2,500 for the reception would appear to be insignificant. The association saluted government for its success in creating an awareness of local tourism and promoting domestic tourism through the Main `Big Lime', but said, "if, however, we as a nation are to develop this industry to its full potential we need to attach the same importance to creating awareness of Guyana in the areas where our most lucrative markets exist." Noting the importance of government representation at the international event, THAG said tourism ministers in the Caribbean and other destinations in the world attend the event and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) uses the annual gathering to hold a tourism ministers meeting there each year. CTO also convenes a technical meeting for directors of tourism of its member countries, as almost all directors attend each year. THAG said that one of the main topics discussed at the meeting was the 'Sustainable Tourism Conference' which is being hosted by the Guyana Government in May next year. THAG also said that the customary support from the Guyana High Commission in London was not forthcoming this year, either in terms of representation at the show or in assistance in ground transportation for materials for the show. Guyana's participation at the WTM over the past seven years was funded by the European Union under the regional programme which came to an end last year. Last minute funding for Guyana's participation in terms of booth space was provided by the CTO as the organisation believed that Guyana's representation at the WTM was critical to the future of the industry in Guyana. Each Caribbean country was expected to fund its own booth but Guyana shared booth space with Suriname and Dominica at the entrance of the 'Caribbean Village'. According to THAG even though the booth space was smaller, a lot more interest was shown as the three nature destinations attracted "more than their fair share of attention". The Guyana delegation comprised THAG President Shaun McGrath, Executive Director Colette McDermott and Executive Members Tony Thorne and Bernard Lee Yong. And to ensure participation, THAG and the four delegates incurred costs of over US$15,000 in flights, accommodation, meals, shipping of collateral materials for the show and transportation in London. Compared to previous years, the THAG delegation said, much interest was shown in Guyana's products and a number of new brochures which included Guyana were distributed. This included BWIA 2000 brochures and Journey Latin America, the largest operator to central and South America in the UK, which has a two-page feature on Guyana in its magazine Papagaio.
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