GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA) --Continued diversification of Guyana's economy has resulted in new avenues being explored to generate revenue to contribute to the country's development. The tourism sector, which has recorded significant development in recent years, has increased its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GPD).

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad stated that tourism supports thousands of jobs and generates revenues, attracting both local and foreign investors. "I believe that tourism is the industry of the future in Guyana," Minister Prashad said. These sentiments were expressed by the Minister during his presentation on the 2010 National Budget in the National Assembly on Tuesday. Debates are currently ongoing on the record $142.8B budget which represents an increase of 10.8 percent over last year's $128.9B budget. The Minister stated that last year the Ministry of Tourism took a soft approach to the implementation of the Tourism Regulations in Guyana to ensure that all stakeholders were educated and sensitized. However, this year will see the enforcement of these regulations to ensure the improvement of quality, standards, service, and safety in the hospitality sector.

Prashad said that 2009 was a successful and eventful year for the tourism sector as the Ministry embarked on a strategy of realizing the sector's potential. He pointed out that last year was a record breaking year for arrivals in Guyana with a nine percent increase over 2008. According to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) which contracted an Oxford Economics Company to conduct an assessment on the Caribbean's Tourism Outlook, Guyana is ranked with three other countries which registered increases for the year; Jamaica, Cuba and Saba. Guyana recorded the highest percentage in increase in arrivals in the Caribbean despite the global economic and financial crisis. "This is a huge achievement for Guyana, taking into consideration that tourism is fairly new in Guyana. This record breaking visitor arrivals point to visitors' confidence in Guyana as well as the success of the marketing initiatives and programmes of the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority in collaboration with the private sector," the Minister said.

Domestic tourism is critical to the success of any destination and over the past few years the Ministry of Tourism has been encouraging Guyanese to travel, explore and discover their own country. Prashad announced that 2009 was a record year for domestic tourism promotions as thousands of Guyanese travelled to various destinations for attractions and events within Guyana. Some of the areas and events that recorded increased visits locally were the Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls through the Kaieteur special; Orealla, Cow Falls, and Wanatoba Resort; Mahdia, Moruca, and Wakenaam Expositions; Rockstone Fish Festival; Pakaraima Mountain Safari; Bartica, Mainstay and Orealla Regattas; and the Rodeo.

Greater diversification and tourism expansion were also achieved in 2009 in key areas including bird-watching, eco, adventure, agro and sports tourism. Guyana is now being compared with Peru and Ecuador and is the hottest new bird watching destination. Of recent Guyana has gained a lot of international attention, with over 830 species of birds and today several large international companies are selling bird watching tours to Guyana with the slogan "Guyana - a birdwatcher's paradise". In the area of eco-tourism Guyana has become a hotspot and a new and sought after destination with the largest pristine tract of tropical rainforest, high number of biodiversity species, amazing wildlife, pristine rivers, mountain ranges, savannahs, wetlands, and indigenous communities with low carbon lifestyle.

Mountain climbing, trekking, canoeing, jungle survival, safaris, river trips, fishing, cattle ranches, wildlife watching, rapids, waterfalls, flora, and fauna, and pristine rainforests make Guyana a paradise for the adventure seekers and in 2009 the Ministry also re-branded 'Guyana' as "Guyana - The Amazon Adventure". Guyana is known for its rich and viewable wildlife and tourists are often fascinated by the amazing diversity in Guyana since it is known to be the home for the giants of the Amazon including the Harpy Eagle, Anaconda, Black Caiman, Arapaima, Giant Ant Eater, Capybara, Jaguar and the Victoria Regia Lilly.

"More communities are turning to tourism as a sustainable means of livelihood and employment. I am pleased to inform the House that two Amerindian communities received international tourism awards in 2009, Surama - for community based and eco-tourism and Yupukari - for conservation of wildlife (black caiman). The Ministry would have also given local tourism awards to Whyaka, Yupukari and Surama for their work in community based tourism," Minister Prashad said. Agriculture in Guyana has a natural fit with tourism and this niche market is being developed by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). Farm based experience including fishing, visits to fruit farms, farm stay, swimming and camping is being promoted at Rock View, Whyaka, Splashmins, Bounty Farm and many other resorts nationwide.

The Minister stated that sports fishing has tremendous potential for Guyana and in 2009 filming and promotion was done by Reel Adventures which was shown on national television to over 15 million households in the USA. "I am pleased to announce that coming out of the recent filming; Rewa has been identified as one of the top spots for sports fishing in the world. A sport fishing plan is currently being developed by the Ministry of Tourism and the GTA and several investors have expressed an interest in investing in this area in consultation and partnership with the local community," Minister Prashad said.

Guyana has also been attracting al lot of tourists by the hosting of sport events in the areas of cricket, motor racing, football, horse racing, hockey and rugby. Last year, Guyana welcomed the cruise ship "Spirit of the Adventure" which docked at the GNSC wharf for a day and the Ministry of Tourism is currently working with international tour companies to attract more small and medium-sized cruise liners to Guyana. Additionally, yachts continue to arrive especially in the Essequibo River and Bartica area.

The Tourism Minister also stated that Guyana has seen an increase in the number of new investments within the tourism sector over the past year including new guest facilities constructed at Kaieteur; the Princess Hotel and Casino; the Pegasus Hotel now under local ownership; several new hotels and guest houses increasing the stock of rooms; and improved air access with Delta, Sky Services, and Blue Wing providing services. "Guyana is now a more popular and known tourist destination as a result of excellent and effective marketing, promotions and leveraging in the international arena," Minister Prashad said.

Guyana attended several travel shows which resulted in over 45 international tour companies proactively selling destination Guyana. This sales distribution network is critical to tourism's development and growth and today, some of the largest tour companies are selling Guyana, including Saga Holidays, Wildlife Worldwide, Bird Holidays, Travelling Naturalist, American Birding Society, Ecoventures, Geographic Expeditions, Mass Audubon Tours, Manu Expeditions, and Naturetrek. Additionally, Guyana hosted an international familarisation tour comprising tour operators, journalists, researchers and conservationists which would serve to provide excellent travel stories on Guyana and help to raise its profile.

"I am pleased to inform the House that Guyana was granted 'approved destination status' by China in September 2009, which allows Chinese tourists to travel to Guyana. International Surveys have shown that China is also slated to become the largest outbound tourist market in the world by 2020. This provides an excellent avenue to boost arrivals and investment in Guyana," Minister Prashad.

The Ministry and the GTA conducted training at the airports, customs, immigration, airlines, restaurants, hotels, and taxi services in the areas of tour guiding, events management, event planning, first aid, and customer services for staffers in the hospitality sector. There are plans to train over 1000 persons in the hospitality industry in 2010.