If not given close attention, they can grow into cracks, soon the bodywork is a mess and collapse is only a matter of time.

Amid the bit of upbeat news in the tourism sector over the weekend, with signs that more European tourists may be heading this way, Executive Director of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Ms. Indira Anandjit had cause to point to some worrying dents in the sector.

Efforts in the past in exhibiting Guyana in Germany at the World Tourism Bourse, held annually in Berlin, are finally paying off, she said, adding that with continuous marketing, more Europeans will be coming here since Guyana has what they are looking for.

But, according to the official, there are some basics that have to be addressed and we find it surprising that in spite of all the talk about the tremendous potential of tourism to the economy, such kinks still dog the system.

Bad habits don't die easily but when these have national consequences, they have to be taken on board as a matter of priority.

Take the matter of the washrooms at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri.

It doesn't cost an arm and a leg to keep facilities as basic as washrooms at an international airport in shipshape. These are a must and bad washrooms at a country's main airport would give the name of the country a bad stench.

Ms. Anandjit pointed out that only recently a group from Canada complained bitterly about the state of the airport's washrooms and it does not need a team of high-priced tourism consultants to conduct a study to determine what kind of image that would give a country preening itself to be a great tourist destination.

The basics have to be fixed and Tourism Minister, Mr. Manzoor Nadir and the airport authorities have to address these concerns and ensure they do not crop up again. One bad washroom experience for one group of tourists can have adverse trickle down effects.

The THAG official's point about the attitude of the Immigration and Customs personnel has been made before and it is regrettable that it continues to be a bugbear. While these officers cannot afford to be casual about their demanding duties, the `attitude' kinks have to be straightened out to create the tourist-friendly atmosphere the sector needs if it is to take off in a big way.

Several years ago an ambitious plan was launched, with the usual fanfare, about beautifying the East Bank Demerara so that visitors travelling on the main road from the international airport into the city would get a good first impression of the country.

There were some improvements but the proposed year-round programme to have the sides of the road free of bushes and debris, and to help residents along the thoroughfare maintain well-kept fences and yards has not had much success.

The local government bodies, the private sector and Central Government were to have been the key partners in this facelift plan but a lot of work obviously has to be done.

These obvious dents in the system simply do not fit in with the grand pattern on the drawing board and have to be straightened out.