A correspondent in Thailand reported that using half a page of its World Travel section, the Bangkok Post, one of Southeast Asia's most respected English language newspapers, had carried an in-depth article on the positive side of Guyana's eco-tourism.

The Bangkok Post, a daily broadsheet with a circulation of 100,000 copies is the larger of two English dailies in Thailand. Its weekly World Travel section focuses mainly on its internal tourist industry with some smaller articles about the regional holiday spots, including Europe and North America.

Our correspondent noted that newspapers and magazines in Southeast Asia are not commonly known for articles or news stories relating to countries within the Caribbean region.

"Therefore, the half page spread on Guyana was unusual and one that was thought stimulating to readers", he said.

The article has triggered intense interest in Guyana, he added.

This is the kind of exposure Guyana can do with and shows how much potential there is in this country that can advance its economic development.

Guyana has a lot to offer the rest of the world and its politicians and all stakeholders must realise how deeply the progress of this country is being strangled by the continuing senseless political rivalries and bitterness and the ongoing spate of violent crimes.

The efforts have to be stepped up to resolve these problems so that ordinary people can get on with their lives and that exciting developments in eco-tourism and other fields can come to fruition.

The Guyana Charette project holds much promise, according to officials.

After studying the core sites targeted for eco-tourism development here - Rupununi, Kaieteur National Park and Historic Georgetown - the Ministry of Tourism and Conservation International (CI) have completed a report based on the findings of a one-week encounter, which began March 9.

Guyana Charette, first introduced in February when the Ministry and CI briefed the media about the project, is a short-term collaborative process to solve a specific design or planning problem aimed at developing Guyana's eco-tourism potential.

The concept paper was prepared by Charette Leader, Mr. Chuck Hutchinson, who has worked on similar projects in countries such as Ghana in Africa.

According to him, the development of the tourism sector will see infrastructure development in the country's regions, the residents of which will also be able to feel a sense of security.

Dr. Mike Sarhan, Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), noted that Guyana should start focusing on tourism more than mining because, according to him, that is where "our riches lie".

He said there is an urgent need for Guyana to diversify its economy, since tourism has a lot of potential here.

This sector, he noted, constitutes one of the largest industries in the world and should therefore be pursued.