12 tourism products vying for GTA’s development grant

A total of 12 tourism products were submitted for the Guyana Tourism Product Development Grant Programme, as operators look to bring innovative and exciting tourist attractions to the existing market.

The deadline for applicants was on August 10 and according to the GTA Director, Kamrul Baksh, the submissions are diverse and include suggestions for improving mountain biking, kayaking, and ATV rides.

The aim of the grant is to provide existing tourism operators with funds to improve their products and to establish new products. Baksh said several newer ideas for tourists and locals to experience are among the submissions.

“A number of experiences across eight administrative regions and I think it’s a diverse range of new experiences that will be developed from now until the end of the year and even unto next year.

“We are going to be meeting with those shortlisted applicants within the next week to confirm the contractual arrangement for the disbursement of funds and then we will be monitoring the implementation of the programme,” Baksh said.

He explained that each applicant or each product they have a financial plan with accompanying invoices which will guide the GTA for the disbursement.

Additionally, the GTA on Tuesday launched its Guyana Tourism Product playbook which serves as a guide for the development of new products and improving existing ones.  Stakeholders will work with tour operators, using the playbook to provide training and guidance for developing products and to guide tour operators with training that should lead to the improvement of existing products.

“This is very timely as this playbook will go hand in hand and play a very complimentary role with the grant for operators that are wishing to put together those programmes,” Baksh added.

He said that financial support and technical support are available for tour operators.