Post CWC tourism
Editorial
Guyana Chronicle
April 24, 2007
NOW that the Cricket World Cup matches here are over, it is time that some serious analysis of our tourism industry takes place.
We have enough information to assess our various strengths and weaknesses in various areas, see where we can have a little breathing space and where we have a lot of catching up to do. Whatever the result, it is a given that eco-tourism is going to fall under the latter category.
There are examples of eco-tourism ventures which are currently operational, if not thriving.
The Karanambu Resort, run by the McTurk family, is a good example of how a traditional family business has evolved – from cattle-rearing to balata – to cater to this growing sector.
Begun a little over a decade ago by Diane McTurk, and now aided by her nephew and his wife Edward and Melanie, Karanambu is slowly establishing itself as an international class eco-tourism destination, built upon trips along the Rupununi, bird-watching and interacting with orphaned giant otters.
At the other end of the spectrum, a young British couple – operating under the name Bushmasters – has virtually created the modern, structured adventure tourism market here in Guyana. The programme ranges from short camping trips with some of the luxuries of home, to a full-scale survival trip in which the customer is expected to, among other things, catch and cook his/her own food.
What is missing between these two extremes seems to be three main things: the creativity to carve something non-exploitative and sustainable out of the natural wonders our country has to offer; the capital, particularly by people who are otherwise willing to invest in this fledgling industry; and finally, the commitment to something with the only short-term returns being more than anyone's fair share of insects during the rainy season.
Even as we begin to look towards taking advantage of all this untapped eco-tourism potential, we have to be aware of the fact that what we are selling is not a product but access to a non-renewable resource which happens to be under our care.
Our country's vast hinterland region is arguably as fragile as it is beautiful.
Considering the growing local population, the increasingly erratic climate, and the dwindling natural resources, creating an eco-tourism sector which will be viable one hundred years from now, or even a couple of decades, is going to be harder than a hundred-mile trek through the Pakaraimas.