CTO SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CONFERENCE

Panel: “Transformation for Tourism Evolution”

GUYANAA New Frontier

Presented by: Carla James, Deputy Director

Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA)

August 29, 2019

OUR MISSION AND VISION

Our Purpose and What We will Achieve• To develop and promote sustainable tourism

in Guyana through collaboration to maximise local socio-economic and conservation outcomes and improve the visitors’ experience.

Where We’re Going and What Tourism in Guyana looks like in the future• To be recognised locally and internationally

as a premier destination for protecting its natural and cultural heritage, providing authentic experiences, and maximising local socio-economic benefits.

OUR HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY1. Implement and maintain a national strategy and action plan that supports the

implementation of national Green State Agenda and the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) and that is focused on the value that each traveller represents and maximising positive socio-economic and conservation outcomes from their visit

2. Foster inter-ministerial and multi-stakeholder collaborations and establish and implement structured, mutually beneficial partnerships

3. Build capacity within the GTA and the sector4. Improve the policy environment and infrastructure for sustainable tourism development5. Strengthen governance including the Board, GTA Act and Regulations6. Raise safety, quality and sustainability standards nationally, at a community level and

within the tourism private sector7. Strengthen product based on demand and our strengths in community-led and owned

tourism, conservation travel, SAVE Travel, birding, wildlife tourism, catch and release sport-fishing, etc.

8. Educate visitors on how they can positively impact the people and places they visit in Guyana

9. Benchmark against global best practices through the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) - accredited Green Destinations standard, and monitor and report on the results with an emphasis on the SDGs

10. Proactively involve key stakeholders and secure buy-in and support

THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY LED AND OWNED TOURISM

• Defining of Community-Led and Owned Tourism (CL&OT)

• Why is CL&OT important in Guyana?

SUPPORTING COMMUNITY LED & OWNED TOURISM

Methodology:1. Project Prioritization2. Community Tourism

Toolkit3. Visitor Readiness and

Action Planning Assessment

4. Building Capacity and Licensing

5. Establishing Market Linkages

6. Marketing Community Tourism Offerings

OUTCOMES OF COMMUNITY LED & OWNED TOURISM

• Ripple Effect: implement a replicable model which can be implemented in indigenous communities throughout Guyana and Suriname

• Economic impact: increase direct spending by visitors and create employment opportunities, a varied economic base, and an economic multiplier effect

• Social impact: provide direct access to the travel and tourism industry, build capacity, preserve heritage, increase community pride, and reduce out-migration

• Environmental impact: create alternative livelihood opportunities to help wildlife/habitat protection and natural resource management

OUTCOMES OF COMMUNITY LED & OWNED TOURISM

2018-2019 Year-to-date Outcomes:Karasabai: Completed: The community is known for protecting the sun parakeet and its habitat. Karasabai has developed a Tourism Development Action Plan, which is being implemented by an active Tourism Committee. An Eco-lodge is being built by the community, and 2 rooms have been completed. Product assessment, tourism development plan, and select trainings have been completed. Day tours and a 2-day/1-night package has been developed that includes birding, hiking, cultural presentations, and a village tour. The community is now hosting international and domestic visitors through two domestic outfitters. To be completed: Although the community has committed to expand the sun parakeet’s habitat, Community Conservation Area zoning needs to be completed. Products under development include off-trail mountain climbing and a scenic boat tour. The GTA also plans to help the community host a FAM tour for domestic tour operators.

Warapoka: Completed: A 6-bedroom Eco-lodge has been completed, and Warapoka has developed a Tourism Development Action Plan, which is being implemented by an active Tourism Committee. Comprehensive peer-to-peer training has been completed. A 2-day/1-night package has been developed, and there is potential to increase the visitor length of stay. Sustainable catch and release sport fishing peer-to-peer trainings have been delivered by Rewa Eco-lodge. A FAM trip for sport fishing operators have been implemented. The product is now visitor ready at a basic level. The community has hosted its first international visitors and media. To be completed: Community conservation zoning to protect fragile habitat. Note: the tarpon fishery is within the Shell Beach Protected Area. Products under development include cultural presentations, harpy eagle viewing, more training for sustainable catch and release sports fishing. Donations: Based on a needs assessment, the electrical and water system in the Eco-lodge need to be redone, a solar system including fourblack water tanks needs to be procured, and miscellaneous equipment and furnishings, including two fishing boats, need to be purchased.

OUTCOMES OF COMMUNITY LED & OWNED TOURISM

2018-2019 Year-to-date Outcomes:Moraikobai: Completed: An Eco-lodge is being built by the community, 2 rooms have been completed, and refurbishments are being made to the existing 9-room guest house, which can be booked by visitors. Moraikobai has developed a Tourism Development Action Plan, which is beingimplemented by an active Tourism Committee. Product assessments and select trainings guide, hospitality, and trainings have been completed. Day tours and an overnight package has been developed that includes cultural presentations and a village tour. The community is now hosting international and domestic visitors through one domestic tour operator, and a FAM trip is planned to introduce others to this new product. To be completed: Products under development include hiking, canoeing, and sports fishing in the nearby conservancy, which is a government protected area.

Chenapou: Completed: Chenapou has developed a Tourism Development Action Plan, which is being implemented by its new active Tourism Committee. The Tourism Committee is in the process of refurbishing its eco-lodge, which was built with support from WWF but never completed due to lack of funding and technical assistance. A product assessment has been completed, and a 2-day/1-night package has been scoped. Existing product includes three high-quality day hikes and Guianan cock-of-the-rock viewing. The community is now hosting SAVE travel (scientific, academic, volunteer and educational travel).To be completed: Community conservation area zoning for fishing and the giant river otter. Products under development include cultural presentations, birding and wildlife/blue tarantula spotting. Prioritised peer-to-peer trainings will commence within the next month.

Anticipated Medium- to Long-term Outcomes:Based on the experiences of Surama and Rewa, communities begin by hosting a small number of visitors within their first two years of operating a new tourism enterprise, but can begin hosting more than 100 visitors by year three. The GTA anticipates comparable outcomes in all four of the four communities noted herein.Increased socio-economic outcomes and cultural and natural heritage protection.

THANK YOU

Questions and Answers

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