Twenty indigenous communities are now supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce in building community enterprises across the country. This was revealed by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, while delivering a speech at the Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development in Grenada on Tuesday.
The conference, held under the theme “The 5Ps for a Legacy of Caribbean Tourism Sustainability: People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose & Partnership,” provided a platform for regional stakeholders to discuss key issues and strategies for sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean.
Addressing emerging challenges within the sector, Minister Walrond told the audience that one of Guyana’s primary unique value propositions, is the Indigenous community-led and owned tourism enterprises.
“By empowering our Indigenous people to take the reins of their own tourism ventures, we ensure their economic prosperity and the preservation of their culture,” the minister said.
She outlined Guyana’s approach to overcoming challenges within the sector, which includes utilizing a Community-Led and Owned Tourism Framework and Toolkit and Continuous collaboration and partnership with key stakeholders, including the tourism private sector.
“This empowers the indigenous peoples and creates differentiated products that allow significant economic growth of those communities, and simultaneously strengthening the greatest stewards of the rainforests and lands,” she reiterated.
Minister Walrond emphasized the importance of tourism as a driver of economic growth, cultural preservation, and ecological conservation. She noted that Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 plays a pivotal role in guiding the country’s sustainable tourism efforts by promoting a new low-carbon economy and establishing incentives which value the world’s ecosystem services.
She also discussed Guyana’s efforts to meet market demands by investing in infrastructure and hospitality and promoting unique tourism offerings. She highlighted the country’s plans to add over 2000 new rooms under international brands and develop the Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute (HTTI) to enhance service excellence.
“Over the last four years, there has been a conscious effort to create a diversified and resilient product portfolio. This was made possible through extensive partnerships with our communities, the tourism private sector, and technical assistance support,” the minister added.
Noting that sustainability is a core value and way of life for many Guyanese, Minister Walrond reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to promoting responsible and sustainable tourism and achieving global accreditation for sustainable tourism practices. She expressed optimism for the future of Caribbean tourism and the role of sustainable practices in shaping its legacy.
