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MASHRAMANI 2012 promises to be quite impression with a ‘packed programme’ for the
upcoming season. Guyanese and visitors alike will be in for a real treat, as Guyana observes
its 42nd Republic Anniversary under the theme ‘Mashing with Pride; Keeping the Tradition
Alive’.
That theme was the winning entry of several submitted, and was the work of
communication icon Ms. Margaret Lawrence, who won herself a substantial cash prize of
$50,000.
The multi-cultural festival will see some new approaches, such as incorporating an
educational component with the Mash programme, and documenting and keeping for
future use information from these initiatives, as well as partnering with sister Caribbean
countries as Guyana seeks to strengthen the talents of it Soca and Chutney singers.
Events to look forward to are the Chutney, Calypso and Health Song competitions; the
Masquerade Band competition; Steel Band competition; the Light Up and Bright-up Guyana
competition; and the main Mashramani event – the Costume Bands and Float Parade.
Meanwhile, the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry is also working feverishly on the re-
introduction of the Masquerade Band competition and the Steel Pan competition, and is
confident that these competitions will come on stream for 2012.
As customary, thousands of persons are expected to line the streets of the capital city of
Georgetown to get a look at the spectacular costume competitions, float parades,
masquerade bands and dancing in the streets to the accompaniment of steel band music
and calypsos – creating a carnival-like atmosphere.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Botanical Garden declared a Birding Sanctuary
Guyana 5th Annual Tourism Awards hosted by GTA
GTA hosted a bartender competition
Guyana participates at WTM
Stakeholders met on Agro-Tourism
Another cruise ship docks in Guyana
Local tourism sector set to grow in 2012
EZJet launch non-stop flights from New York
Barbados tourism delegation visit Guyana
Visitors treated to traditional airport welcome
Guyana to host STC-13 in April
Latest edition of ‘Explore Guyana’ launched
Honorable Ifraan Ali was appointed Minister of Housing and Water and as
acting Minister for the Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Commerce
Ministry of Tourism, GTA conduct customer
service and frontline training
During Tourism Awareness Month 2011, 225
persons were
given a chance to
enhance their
skills through of a
series of customer
service and
frontline training
by the Ministry of
Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority.
In an effort to boost the tourism and hospitality
sector and in keeping with the theme of
„Achieving Service Excellence through
Training‟, arts and craft producers;
waiters/waitresses; and barmen participated in
customer services training, while frontline
training was done for Duty Officers, Red Caps,
and Customs and Immigration Officers attached
to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport,
Timehri.
Demonstrating the Tourism Ministry and GTA
commitment to continue training and capacity
building in the tourism and hospitality sector,
the frontline and customer service training
sought to enhance the knowledge of players in
the sector and equip them to provide better
customer care for visitors and local alike, as they
play an integral part in the country‟s tourism
related services.
In October, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry
and Commerce and the Guyana Tourism
Authority (GTA) in collaboration with the
Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS)
hosted tour guide training at the Kaieteur
National Park (KNP) in Region Seven
(Potaro/Siparuni).
The three-day guide training session was
facilitated by Mr. Chuck Lennox, Consultant for
Cascade Interpretive Consulting. He was also
the trainer for the GTIS tour guide interpretive
training programme conducted earlier this year
in the Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper
Takutu/Upper Essequibo).
The training targeted ten (10) wardens and tour
guides of the KNP as well as new guides from
nearby villages of Chenapou and Karisparu.
The well-received training programme sought to
provide the participants with the first-hand
knowledge and interpretation skills needed to
conduct tours at the park which attracts scores of
visitors every year while providing a sustainable
pool of individuals to conduct tour at the park,
which is home to Guyana‟s premier tourist
attraction, the majestic Kaieteur Falls.
Ministry of Tourism, GTA host bartender
cocktail competition
As part of its Tourism Awareness Month 2011
activities, the Ministry of Tourism and the
Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in
collaboration with
the Demerara
Distillers Limited
hosted a „Bartenders
Cocktail
Competition‟ on
November 12 at the
Umana Yana in
Kingston, Georgetown.
The exciting competition attracted seven local
bartenders and two foreigners vying for the title
of „Bartender of the Year‟.
Each participant had to mix two cocktails,
wowing the crowd with their different style and
names of the various cocktails.
Devon Ramlikhan of the Edge Lounge captured
the first prize with his cocktails „Sweet Kiss and
Tropics‟ and received a trophy and cash prize of
$30,000.
Second place went to Shawn Allen from the
Guyana Defense Force Officers‟ Mess Hall for
his cocktails „White Chicks and Breezy Hotel‟,
who got a trophy and a trip to Kaieteur
compliments of Ministry of Tourism.
The third prize of a trophy and a day trip to
Baganara Island Resort compliments of
Evergreen Adventures went to Paton Rose of the
Upscale Restaurant and Bar, for his cocktails „El
Dorado Ambitious and Sun Seeker‟.
Ministry of Tourism hosts Fifth Annual
Tourism Awards
Several persons and entities were recognized for
their sterling contribution towards tourism
development in Guyana, at the Ministry of
Tourism annual Tourism Awards.
The gala event held at the Guyana
International Conference Centre, Liliendaal,
East Coast Demerara, also saw persons receiving
certificates for their participation in the
Pakaraima Mountain Safari; one of the leading
adventure trips in Guyana.
Part of the Ministry‟s calendar of
activities to commemorate Tourism Awareness
Month, ten individuals, communities, and
organizations received plaques for their
exemplary contributions to the growth of the
industry.
The awardees were: Duane and Sandy
DeFreitas from Rupununi Trails - Tourism
Pioneers; Rewa in Region Nine (Upper
Takutu/Upper Essequibo)- Community Based
Tourism Development; Peter and Ruth
Rajmangal from No. 58 Rest Stop -
Longstanding Service Provider; Mr. Wilfred
Jagnarine from Lake Mainstay Resort, Region
Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) - Tourism
Entrepreneur; Redjet - Improved Access to
Regional Market; Mr. Ashley Holland - Tour
Guide of the Year; Mr. Ian Craddock - Pillar of
Tourism Industry; Herdmanston Lodge - Best
Home-style Stay; Guyana National Shipping
Corporation - Support for Cruise Tourism; and
the Cheddi Jagan International Airport - Service
for Travel & Tourism.
Guyana participates in WTM
During Tourism Awareness Month 2011,
„Destination Guyana‟ was successfully
showcased and much-talked about at the World
Travel Market (WTM), the world‟s second
largest travel trade show.
The Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana
Tourism Authority led Guyana‟s delegation to
the event which was held in London from
November 7 to 10, in its continuous effort to
promote and market „Guyana – the Amazon
Adventure‟ in the international arena.
In a show of public and private collaboration,
apart from the Tourism and Hospitality
Association of Guyana (THAG), private sector
companies that joined them included Wilderness
Explorers, Dadanawa Ranch, the North
Rupununi District Development Board,
Hurakabra River Resort and Rupununi Trails.
Staged annually - WTM dubbed the premier
global event for the travel industry - presented a
unique opportunity for the whole global travel
trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct
business under one roof.
Guyana which has been attending WTM for over
ten years, was once again given the opportunity
to network and link with other tour operators to
promote and sell Guyana as a unique ecological,
nature and adventure tourist destination, and
high interest was shown in the destination.
At WTM, the Explore Guyana 2012 magazine
and the British Broadcasting Corporation ten-
part series retracing the footsteps of Sir Walter
Raleigh for the fabled City of Gold El Dorado
were launched, while visitors were also given a
chance to sample the Demerara Distillers
Limited popular rum punch.
Botanical Gardens declared a ‘Bird
Sanctuary’
„Destination Guyana‟ which is certainly a
paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers,
and the eco tourist-alike, is a birding hotspot and
paradise.
Its Botanical Gardens found in the capital city of
Georgetown was declared a „Bird Sanctuary‟ on
November 18, 2011, by the Minister of Tourism,
Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram
Prashad.
The activity was part of a series of activities for
Tourism Awareness Month, observed under the
theme “Achieving Service Excellence through
Training”.
The Botanical Garden which is an Important
Birding Area in Guyana, has a land mass of 185
acres and an amazing over 189 bird species from
41 families.
The first such sanctuary in Guyana – is as a
result of a collaborative effort between the
Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Amazon
Tropical Bird Society and the National Parks
Commission. Also, a plaque was unveiled
by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce
Manniram Prashad, in honour of the momentous
occasion.
Guyana with over 870 species and counting is a
birding hotspot and paradise, and has been
described as “the top new neo-tropical birding
destination and one of the best birding spots in
the world”.
Workshop held to brainstorm agro-tourism
opportunities
The Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana
Tourism Authority (GTA) in collaboration with
the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on
Agriculture (IICA), on November 20, 2011
hosted a workshop, with the aim to explore agro-
tourism opportunities consistent with Guyana‟s
Low Carbon Development Strategy.
Given the country‟s tremendous potential in this
niche market, the one-day session was part of a
series of activities during Tourism Awareness
Month 2011, observed under the theme
„Achieving Service Excellence through
Training‟.
Held at the Splashmin‟s Eco Park and Resort on
the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, its objective
were: to broadly define agro-tourism with
specific reference to Guyana‟s potential and
current offerings; list the major planks of
Guyana‟s development strategy that involve the
natural environment; identify the benefits of
linking agriculture with tourism; discuss
challenges and issues; describe and promote at
least one successful agro-tourism enterprise; and
develop an outline proposal for agro-tourism
enterprises.
Participants included United States Agency for
International Development/Guyana Trade and
Investment Support (USAID/GTIS), National
Agricultural Research Institute, Tourism and
Hospitality Association of Guyana, Kingdom
Apiary, Aquaculture Association of Guyana,
Onverwagt Aquacultural Enterprise Inc., Bounty
Farm Ltd, Conservation International,
Splashmins, North Rupununi District
Development Board, Carnegie School of Home
Economics, North West Organics, Mangrove
Reserve – Wellington and Cove & John,
Gardenland Nursery, Mainstay Village, Guyana
Rice Development Board, Guyana School of
Agriculture, Rock View Lodge, and Guyana
Sugar Corporation.
Le Levant docks in Guyana for second time
this year
THE luxurious French cruise ship, „Le Levant‟
visited Guyana for the second time this year,
when its docked on November 21, at the Guyana
National Industrial Company‟s (GNIC) terminal
in Georgetown, carrying 32 passengers and 54
crew members on board.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce
Tourism Minister Mr. Manniram Prashad along
with President of the Tourism and Hospitality
Association of Guyana (THAG) Mr. Paul
Stephenson; General Manager of Wilderness
Explorers Ms. Teri O‟Brien and other officials
of the Tourism Ministry and the Guyana
Tourism Authority, ventured on board to interact
with the Captain Mathiev Lebrun and crew.
Guyana which started out late as a tourist
destination has been doing extremely well in the
short time it has been involved in tourism with
eco-tourism being its niche market.
Extending a warm welcome to the visitors,
Minister Prashad said he is happy that the ship is
here in Guyana again, acknowledging that the
repeat visit augurs well for promoting
Destination Guyana.
The Captain was presented with several tokens
of appreciation by Minister Prashad and also
representatives of THAG and Wilderness
Explorers.
During its brief stay, some of the passengers
were able to see some of Guyana‟s rich culture
and architecture located in the capital city of
Georgetown, and given a chance to purchase
souvenirs, before heading to Grenada. The „Le
Levant‟ made its first voyage to Guyana in
March.
Sixth Annual Rockstone Fish Festival
launched
Scores of visitors both locally and
internationally converged on Rockstone in
Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice), for its
annual fish festival.
The event which continues to grow annually,
creating more enthusiasm with regard to sport
fishing, was held on the weekend of November
19 and 20, in the small fishing community 18
miles from Linden.
First staged in September 2006, the aim is
promoting the location as a major tourist
attraction for sport fishing as its waterways are
teeming with fishes, including one of the largest
freshwater fishes in the world, the Arapaima.
Apart from the traditional fishing competition,
for biggest or most caught fish, persons were
also engaged in several other fun activities such
as fishing expedition, fish catching, deboning
and cooking competitions and guided river tours
to nearby Golden Beach and Gluck Island,
which has a rich population of birds, at least 140
species and a natural habitat for the giant otter,
big river turtles, „Howler‟ monkeys, labbas,
iguanas, bush hogs, black caimans and is home
to the National Flower, Victoria Amazonia. Its
surroundings offer possibilities for bird
watching, river safaris, nature walks and sport
fishing and, as such, the Tourism Ministry has
been working to develop the area as an attraction
for visitors.
Third Annual Orealla launched
The riverain community of Orealla came alive
on November 12 attracting scores of visitors for
its third annual regatta. The event hosted by
Cortours Eco-Tourist Resorts on the Upper
Corentyne River, in partnership with the
Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce
and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA),
allowed persons to experience the beauty of the
Corentyne River and explore the community
located approximately 50 miles from Crabwood
Creek on the Corentyne Coast.
Orealla is ideal for a regatta and it afforded
residents of the Amerindian community an
opportunity to showcase, display and even
market their craft. Apart from the series of
exciting boat races, other fun-filled activities
included canoe race, cassava grating
competition, greasy pole climbing, canoe tug-o-
war and cultural activities. Orealla, which has a
population of about 1500, has a rich history of
culture and heritage as many other Amerindian
communities in Guyana.
Tourism sector set for greater 2012 growth,
development
The local tourism sector is set to experience
even greater growth and development in the
coming year, according to the Director of the
Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr.
Indranauth Haralsingh, who said his agency is
poised to facilitate this expansion.
He said with the continued support of the
Government and the private sector, they will
succeed, and to this end, GTA has proposed a
number of initiatives, including the continued
promotion of familiarisation (FAM) trips and
increasing international marketing strategies to
include the Diaspora and attendance at key
travel trade shows.
In addition, Haralsingh said persons can
anticipate more packaging next year to attract
visitors and persons from overseas to
Destination Guyana, so that they, too, will be
encouraged to invest.
Pleading to work more closely with the private
sector to achieve the common goal of growing
the industry, he also acknowledged that the
Government has already invested in the
necessary infrastructure to support and promote
a growing tourism sector in Guyana.
EZJet launch non-stop flights from New York
EZJet, a public charter programme operated by
EZjet Air Services of Guyana and Florida, in the
busy season of December, launched direct
flights between Guyana and New York.
In another boost for the tourism industry, flights
are operating six days each week. During the
festive season, many Guyanese came home to
enjoy the holidays with their loved ones and
friends resulting in a influx of visitors, which
has augur well for the tourism sector. The
operating airline for EZJet is Dynamic Airways
of the US, whose parent, Dynamic Aviation,
operates more than 100 aircraft and has been
providing air services around the world for the
past 75 years.
Visitor arrivals continue to show positive
trend
„Destination Guyana‟ continues to show positive
trends recording a 3.3 increase in 2011, when
compared to 2010.
„Guyana – the Amazon Adventure‟
which has rapidly been gaining recognition in
the international arena, as attractive ecological,
nature and adventure tourist destination, when
compared to 2010, saw a 159, 910 rise in
arrivals, with nine record breaking months -
January, April, May, June, July, September,
October, November and December.
This positive trend shows confidence in
the destination and points to the success in the
marketing and promotion of it by the Ministry of
Tourism, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and
other industry stakeholders.
While Government has been making
significant investment in the growing sector,
Guyana has been hosting several familiarisation
(FAM) trips and maintaining attendance at key
trade shows such as the International Travel
Bourst (ITB), British Bird Watching Fair, and
World Trade Market.
The country has been featured and
highlighted in various popular international
publications and has gained tremendous
exposure through shows such as the British
Broadcasting Corporation‟s (BBC) three-part
series - „The Lost Land of the Jaguar‟, popular
United States reality television show „Reel and
Birding Adventures‟ and WSEE TV and One
Caribbean Weather, and the recently released
British Broadcasting Corporation ten-part series
retracing the footsteps of Sir Walter Raleigh in
search of the fabled City of Gold, El Dorado.
„Destination Guyana‟ has also been
featured in Russell Maklin new book called „101
Amazing Adventures of the World‟.
Several major activities also attracted
scores of visitors while there has been increase
air access with the coming of new airlines like
EZJet and REDjet.
Barbados tourism delegation visit Guyana
A 135-member delegation from Barbados during
December visited „Destination Guyana‟ on a
weekend retreat. During their stay, the group
headed by Barbados Minister of Tourism
Richard Sealy was given the opportunity to
experience the beauty of Guyana‟s unique
tourism. While here, President Donald Ramotar
joined them at a cocktail reception hosted by
Roraima Airways and the Guyana Tourism
Authority, at Duke Lodge in Kingston,
Georgetown, when he extended a warm
welcome to Minister Sealy and his delegation,
and invited them to visit and take advantage of
the tremendous tourism potentials Guyana has to
offer, including the majestic Kaieteur Falls, the
magnificent mountain ranges, some of the „more
than 365 islands‟ of the mighty Essequibo River
and the colourful and breath-taking flora and
fauna. The delegation visited Kaieteur Falls,
Arrowpoint Resort, tour the Essequibo River and
the capital city of Georgetown.
Main Big Lime attract thousands
Thousands of Guyanese and visitors enjoyed the
Ministry of Tourism‟s annual „Main Big Lime‟
event on Main Street, in the capital city of
Georgetown, on Boxing Day. The event, which
proved to be an overwhelming success despite
inclement weather, attracted scores of persons
who came out to mingle, lime and have fun.
Joining patrons at the relaxing and enjoyable
atmosphere was President Donald Ramotar who
said that the Main Big Lime is an extension of
Christmas, as the Christmas season is a time
which brings people and families together, and
as such communities come out and enjoy
themselves together.
Because of this, the Main Big Lime has now
become a signature event on the list of tourist
activities as it has grown popular among
Guyanese residing overseas, who would visit for
the season.
The Guyana Tourism Authority used the event
to promote Guyana‟s unique tourism product by
disseminating information and interacting with
visitors at a booth set up, while local producers
of arts and craft showed off their products. The
annual event which is aimed at promoting the
unique Guyanese culture, while providing
tourists and citizens with a spectacular occasion
for a “reunion” every year, was first held in
1999.
Visitors treated to traditional airport
welcome Visitors were treated to the traditional Christmas
welcome at the Cheddi Jagan International
Airport, Timehri, during the festive season.
The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and
Commerce, in collaboration with CJIA and
several private sector bodies, including Banks
DIH limited, Madewini Resort and Beharry
Group of Companies, provided an opportunity
for passengers to sample the true tradition of the
Guyanese Christmas.
Upon disembarking, the planes and entering the
arrival terminal at CJIA, passengers were
greeted by carol singing and masquerade
dancing, and were treated to black cake and
some of Guyana‟s fine beverages.
Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, who
is holding the responsibility for the tourism
sector, was also on hand to warmly welcome
some of the passengers. The Ministry of
Tourism had also planned a host of events for
the festive season, including the Christmas tree
light up, the Main Big Lime, and the many other
festivities in and out of the city for tourists and
Guyanese returning home for the holidays.
Tourism Ministry hosts Christmas tree light-
up
The Ministry of Tourism ushered in the
Christmas season, by hosting its Sixth Annual
Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Rahaman‟s
Park on the East Bank of Demerara, on
December 15.
His Excellency President Donald Ramotar
switched on the lights on the tree. He took the
opportunity to extend his message of peace and
goodwill. The Head of State extended holiday
greetings to the hundreds of persons gathered.
After the formal ceremony, the children were
entertained by Santa Claus and his elves, who
paraded through the crowd to spread even more
Christmas cheer.
Guyana to hosts STC-13 next April
Guyana will be the proud host of the 13th
Annual Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC-
13), from April 15-18, 2012.
In 2011, Guyana copped the Caribbean
Excellence in Sustainable Tourism, jointly with
Harrison‟s Cave in Barbados, a prestigious
award by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation
(CTO), in collaboration with TravelMole.
The CTO has been staging its Annual
Conference on Sustainable Tourism
Development, otherwise known as the
Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC), since
1997.
This Conference which will attract
Tourism Ministers, top media and travel writers
among other officials, is part of the information
dissemination and regional awareness
component of CTO‟s Strategy for Sustainable
Tourism.
It looks at how Member States can
design and implement sustainable tourism
policies and programmes, offering a regional
forum for information exchange on the
successes and pitfalls of national, regional, and
international initiatives.
STC also serves as a primary arena
where new and creative ideas about enhancing
the competitiveness and sustainability of the
Caribbean tourism product are generated.
STC-12 was hosted at Fairmont
Southampton, Bermuda from April 3 to 6, 2011,
under the theme “Keeping the Right Balance:
Rising Above the Numbers”.
Miss Amerindian Heritage Queen receives
laptop from Tourism Ministry
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce
Manniram Prashad on November 18 handed
over a brand new laptop to Miss Amerindian
Heritage pageant Queen Naomi Samuels.
The ministry delivered on its promise, at a
simple presentation and Minister Prashad took
the opportunity to officially congratulate the
Queen and wished her all the best during her
reign, noting that she is an ambassador for
Guyana and our tourism. The Queen was
encouraged to continue to promote her rich
culture which is part of Guyana‟s unique tourism
product, and to be a good role model to young
people especially in Amerindian communities.
The Amerindian Heritage Pageant 2011, which
conveyed aptly the fusion of diverse cultures
that is the Amerindian way of life, was held at
the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown
during September, as part of a series of events
during Amerindian Heritage Month celebration.
The twenty-five-year old from Santa Aratak
Mission, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West
Demerara) took the crown, beating nine other
contestants.
Latest edition of ‘Explore Guyana’, ‘Guyana
– Where and What’ launched
The Tourism and Hospitality Association of
Guyana (THAG) launched the latest edition of
the Explore Guyana Magazine „The Call of the
Wild‟ in December.
The official tourist guide of Guyana is one of the
main marketing tools for the destination on the
international scene. The informative and
educational annual magazine promoting
„Destination Guyana‟, has an impressive cover
design featuring Guyana‟s majestic Kaieteur
Falls. The magazine showcases a number of
optional tourist activities and amazing
attractions that one can be involved in
throughout the length and breadth of Guyana
and useful information on Guyana.
Meanwhile, the fifth edition of the „Guyana –
Where and What‟ tour guide and handbook was
released. The well-designed pocket book
reflecting the country‟s natural beauty and
wildlife is published by Mrs. Gem Madhoo-
Nascimento. It tells you about „Everywhere you
need to go, Everything you need to know…‟ and
the local publication continues to be one of the
best source of references for tourists coming into
the country – as well as for some of us locals,
who need help navigating this beautiful country
of ours.
Getting involved in tourism development. How?
Training - Training can be obtained from the
University of Guyana, Carnegie School of Home
Economics, International Business College and
School of the Nations.
The Guyana Tourism Authority is offering groups
and interested parties FREE training courses in Front
Desk Management, Tour Guiding, Customer
Services and Frontline training. Groups and
interested parties can submit their interest by writing
the Authority requesting these FREE training.
For more information on how to obtain training
please call 219 0094-6.
REGIONAL NEWS
REDjet adds St. Lucia to its
destinations
Redjet, the Caribbean‟s first low
fare airline during the Christmas
season started to fly to St. Lucia,
as it continues to extend it services
across the region.
The carrier officially began flying
to St. Lucia‟s Hewannorra
International Airport, on December
16 from Barbados with fares
beginning at US$9.99, making the
destination the seventh port of call
since its introduction, in April this
year.
Redjet which was officially
introduced to Guyana in April, is
already offering flights to
Trinidad, Barbados and Antigua
with the aim of offering affordable
flights to persons.
Canadian journalist wins CTO
award for photo taken in
Guyana
The Caribbean Tourism
Organisation (CTO) in December
honoured veteran Canadian travel
journalist Theresa Storm with an
award for excellence in
photography.
She was awarded during the media
awards luncheon held on
December 8, as part of Caribbean
Week festivities in Toronto, for the
best photograph published in
conjunction with a feature article
in a Canadian publication in 2010.
Storm took the photo in Guyana on
a fall 2009 trip organized by the
Guyana Sustainable Tourism
Initiative (GSTI), a joint initiative
of the Guyana Tourism Authority
and United States Agency for
International Development/
Guyana Trade and Investment
Support programme
(USAID/GTIS).
Storm‟s photo and feature article,
„Where Mother Nature Still Reigns
Supreme‟, was originally
published in the Calgary Herald
and subsequently by the Montreal
Gazette, Vancouver Sun, Windsor
Star, Dawson Creek Daily News,
the Times – Transcript, Delta
Optimist and Canada.com.
Her image captures the essence of
the unique and authentic nature
and cultural experiences Guyana
offers. It features Diane McTurk,
charming owner of Karanambu
Lodge, playing in the Rupununi
River with Buddy, a blind giant
river otter orphan. McTurk is
renowned for her life‟s work
rescuing and rehabilitating
endangered giant river otters.
January
Filming expedition by the History
Channel
Adonia’s Cruise ship Arrival
Launching of the ‘Guyana Where
and What’
Board of Directors meeting
CTO’s STC committee site visit
Stakeholders engagement on new
tourism sites
February
Mashramani
Launching of the ACCT’s circuit
manual
Stakeholders engagement on a
Sail Guyana Week in 2012
Finalizing plans to host a
monthly television programme
Updates on the hosting of STC-
13
March
ITB – Berlin trade show
Phagwah weekend
celebration
Packaging
Launching of a ‘Guyana
Dining Guide ‘
April
The Guyana Tourism Authority – National Exhibition Centre, Sophia, Georgetown, Guyana
Tele: 592 219 0094-6 | Fax: 592 219 0093 | Email: info@guyana-tourism.com | Web: www.guyana-tourism.com | www.guyanabirding.com
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