Georgetown : Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes believes that there is much more room for growth in the sector.
Minister Hughes said that she is excited and is looking to push forward with several strategies that should further move the industry and put Guyana more on the map as a ‘must see’ destination.
Speaking to reporters at the Office of the President (Ministry of the Presidency) yesterday, the new Tourism Minister said that one of the first things that she will seek to develop is a proper marketing plan and a marketing programme for Guyana. “I know from my personal experience that many many people come to this lovely country, they have a great time, but too many people still don’t know where we are,” Minister Hughes said.
She explained that this plan will address not only marketing Guyana as a destination, but also increasing airlift, so that tourists can fly to Guyana at an affordable price. “It still is kind of expensive for some sectors of the market place to come to Guyana,” the minister said.
She said that she also feels strongly about the Tourism and Hospitality Training School. “We have great investments, the private sector has made strong investments, but we still need to up our level of service, and it is not only in the hospitality industry, but generally in all the government offices. We want to be able to look after people well and to look after other Guyanese and tourists,” she said.
Strengthening relationships with other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states will also be a priority, especially as part of an agenda of multi-destination marketing.
“The CARICOM member states are closest to us; there is a section of the Caribbean population who have the disposable income to travel for special events. You see that at all the jazz festivals, a group of professionals, and others sporting groups, a range of Caribbean people who want to see other countries within the region, so that is also an area we can also explore,” Minister Hughes said.
“They come down already for Easter, they come down for special holidays so that is an additional area that is easy to get going,” she said. The minister is also cognisant of the fact that the marketing of the country will also have to look at changing the image of Guyana, and is fully prepared for this task.
“I have already felt that Guyana needs an entire PR campaign. When you think about many parts of the Caribbean, especially in many parts of the world, unfortunately we battle with a negative image, this image is in relation to gun crimes, violent crimes, interpersonal violence, robberies, and the cleanliness of the city, so I am so excited that President Granger started off by showing how important it is for people to keep their surroundings clean by working on the Independence Arch and that he has also publicly stated that he wants to refurbish all our national treasures and all monuments,” she said.
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