GTA’s Poetry Contest awards four

Georgetown: The Guyana Tourism Authority recently rewarded four lucky persons for their winning entries in the recently concluded radio poetry competition.
This event was held in collaboration with NCN Radio and formed part of the GTA’s Tourism Awareness Month Activities in November, aimed at creating awareness about the country’s tourism product.
All participants were given 30 seconds to recite their poems titled ‘Lovely Guyana’, and each entry was subsequently judged by radio listeners across the country.
Ms. Josephine Sobers copped the first prize of a trip to Kaieteur Falls and a Bradt Guide, while the second to fourth place winners, Ms. Patricia Ann Pierre, Mr. Christopher Belfield and Ms Volda Hamilton respectively, all received copies of the Bradt Guide; the Bradt Travel guide publication in which Guyana is featured ; these books often relay information about the nature of the local people, based on the experiences of the author in various cities.
“We want to congratulate you for participating in this contest, in which you did exceedingly well. Thank you for also being big fans of radio and we want to assure you that we will post your entries on our website so that other persons can share it,” the GTA Director, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh explained.
He also pointed to the importance of the contest in raising awareness about the destination and creating tourism ambassadors among our citizens.
The GTA Director said, “During this period we also held a photo competition to get persons to appreciate the beauty of their country and to share it with others. As part of the Tourism Awareness Month Activities we also had a series of training sessions and cleanup activities as well.”
Meanwhile, the participants were elated to be recognized for their efforts and to be so richly rewarded for their contributions.
“It was a delight to take part in the contest, I had to memorise my poem,” Ms. Volda Hamilton cheerfully stated.
In pointing to her enthusiasm about participating in the radio programme,’ Ms. Patricia Ann Pierre said, “When I got on the programme, I could not stop talking about Guyana. My poem was two minutes long! The requirement was 30 seconds, so, I had to cut my poem.”
Alluding to the significance of such events, Haralsingh reiterated that it becomes imperative for the citizens of a country to recognize the value of the country as a tourism destination, if visitors and tourist are to be attracted to experience that destination.
“We need to get every single Guyanese to see the importance of protecting our country, of caring for our environment and not littering; only by doing these things can we become a destination where more persons will want to visit. Let us all become tourism ambassadors today,” he advocated.
Below is an excerpt from Ms. Hamilton’s 3rd place poem titled ‘Lovely Guyana’
“…the lovely land of my birth…six races coming together in peace and harmony…the magnificent Kaieteur Falls, to Lethem we will go to view the rodeo. As for me, wherever I may roam, Guyana will always be my sweet, sweet home”.