He said, with the advent of Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Board, the role of THAG will be different.

Introducing his executive at a Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel media briefing Wednesday, he said THAG was involved in many activities outside of its mandate prior to the establishment of the statutory GTA body but will now slowly alter its focus and look more internally at its members, membership services, public awareness and training

GTA is a semi-autonomous arm of Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and its nine members are drawn from the private, tourism and the public sectors.

Its long-term objective is handling all aspects of tourism related to Guyana, including marketing, structuring and advising the Minister with the portfolio.

GTA’s short-term goal is to produce, from its operational office at Sophia Exhibition Site in Georgetown, packages with generic materials like compact discs (CDs), videos, brochures, posters and gift items for trade shows in the tourism industry, for which it would be responsible.

Mr. Gouveia remains optimistic that, with his four years experience and a team of vibrant young executives, THAG will accomplish much this year.

He said he is very excited to work with them because he anticipates new ideas coming to the fore from their zeal and energy.

Welcoming them, Gouveia expressed the view that, as a team, they will do lots of great things for tourism in this country.

He said the plan THAG will be pursuing this year comprises:

2003 -Public Awareness;
2004 -Marketing;
2005 -Education and training;
2006 -Developing a membership drive and membership services;
2007 -Finance and fund-raising and
2008 -Developing strategic alliances with other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

They will be collaborating closely with GTA and continue to offer special domestic tourism packages, targeting schools, too, at less than 50 per cent of the original costs, as part of the campaign, he explained.

Gouveia said, in one of the most aggressive drives, THAG will emphasise every aspect of the local industry and attract high school graduates desirous of working in hotels or other area of the tourism sector.

While THAG’s membership presently stands at 70, it will vigorously court every related association for the benefit of expanding across all regions of Guyana.

He also spoke of several fund-raisers planned for this year, among them the annual dinner and dance about to be institutionalised.

Gouveia said international links will be sought with World Wild Life Fund (WWF), as well, to increase awareness of Guyana tourism.