Tourist group looks to market three sites
Stabroek News
March 15, 2003
The Guyana 'Charette' which got underway on Monday following visits to Kaieteur National Park, the Rupununi and historic Georgetown are to come up today with proposals for securing funds and marketing the three sites.
Delivering the main address at the official opening of the Charette at the Hotel Tower on Thursday morning, Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce Manzoor Nadir said that the `charette' "is meant to produce a bankable document which could give a clear vision about tourism development" for the three areas visited.
The term charette was described as a task to be completed within a given time.
Nadir recalled it was the late PNCR Leader Desmond Hoyte back in 1989 who had seen Guyana developing tourism as a viable option for economic diversification.
Nadir said that 1990's had seen many local entrepreneurs taking up the challenge and investing in the industry. In addition he noted that several studies on tourism were commissioned and they now formed about ten feet of shelf space in his office. While the research has value and has given a start to the industry, bringing it to the stage where it was at present, he said that clear policies and programmes were now needed to keep in focus where the industry was heading and ensuring it was in keeping with the country's development strategy.
He noted the establishment of the Tourism Authority and the need for tourism awareness programmes, to develop the arts and craft industry.
Noting that the charette was being done in partnership with Conservation International which provided an expert in the preservation of architecture, a historian, an adaptive rescue specialist, an urban planner and a historic conservation expert among others, Nadir expressed concern at the lack of representation from the business community at the charette.
He said while the pioneers in tourism development were present, the wider sector had not seen the exercise as a valuable one when the outcome of the meeting could provide many opportunities for the private sector. He promised, however, that policy decisions arising from the charette would be made available.
Among the experts he noted was the marketing director of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and two other marketing personnel from Germany who were looking at marketing Guyana in Europe.
In brief remarks, head of the local USAID Mission Dr Mike Sarhan pledged continued USAID assistance but noted the need to evaluate cost benefit and to address community needs. Also pledging continued support was United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) official Thomas Gass.
Also speaking briefly were the Charette Leader Chuck Hutchinson of Conservation International and City Mayor Hamilton Green.
