Canadian journalists to 'market' Guyana's eco-tourism
By Jaime Hall
Guyana Chronicle
February 13, 2004
THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), in efforts to create more awareness and promote Guyana as a tourist destination, hosted a two-week FAM trip for two Canadian journalists from the reputable OUTPOST Magazine.
The OUTPOST is the winner of Canada's Top Magazine Award-The President's Medal and Canada's premier bi-monthly adventure travel magazine.
The journalists are Mr. Larry Frolic, an acclaimed author of three books on contemporary culture and society, and Mr. Don Weber, an award winning photojournalist.
While here, they have visited the Buro Buro River, Karanambo, Kaieteur, and resorts in the Essequibo River, and spent a lot of time in the Rupununi (Surama and Iwokrama), interacted with and interviewed local people in the various communities.
Upon their return to Canada, Guyana will obtain free publicity through a 5000-word feature article on the OUTPOST, which is also available in the USA and a 1000-word article for the National Post, Canada's second largest newspaper.
The article is due to appear in the National Post by May 15 this year; the magazine article will appear two months later.
Mr. Frolic said the concept of his writing would be "Days along the river", because rivers seem to be the personality and driving force of their experience here.
The experience, he said, was more eco-tripping, going from place to place, and he thinks there is a really big market in Canada for this kind of readership on tourism.
GTA's Marketing Manager, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh, yesterday said with Canada being a key market for Guyana's tourism product it is hoped that the articles would create and build more positive awareness of Guyana, as well as stimulate travel here.
Guyana would also benefit from the photographs taken which would complement the overused library images here. Weber has taken over 5,000 pictures while on his visit here.
Mr. Frolic is the author of "Ten Thousand Scorpions", "Grand Centaur Station" and "Yemen's Queen of Sheba".