The casual visitor and tourist to Guyana hoping to get around for Carifesta and long after can now grab a detailed pocket guide of the country that catalogues everything from where to eat upscale or less pricey to what is happening entertainment-wise daily.
As of today, the forest-green guide ‘Guyana where and what’, will be distributed at restaurants; hotels and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri among other busy spots and is available to anyone interested free of cost.
Guyana where and what, a private sector initiative which was launched yesterday at the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), offers a comprehensive guide of the country, dishing up details about places never mentioned before in major local publications and it also includes a handy roadmap of Guyana.
The guide follows up on a similar publication from last year that was launched ahead of Cricket World Cup and which flew off the shelves within a few months after 10,000 copies were printed. Some 50,000 copies of the new guide are expected to be printed this year.
Gem Madhoo-Nascimento who spearheaded the project told reporters yesterday that the guide is a labour of love that serves as an essential tourism ‘must-have’. She disclosed the initial launch was set for May but it was pushed back owing to delays from advertisers which she noted were few.
Since the project commenced in January this year advertisers were late signing on, according to Madhoo-Nascimento. She noted too that government did not support the initiative though they were approached and despite the lacklustre response from advertisers she added that the guide includes just about every business operating in the tourism sector.
THAG President, Renata Chuck-a-Sang called the guide a remarkable achievement that adds to the tourism sector in a huge way. She said that for sometime now THAG has been lobbying government to set up a central tourism desk for visitors to the country but has come up against a stonewall. According to her, government made mention of previously having a booth that was vandalized.
“If they are serious about tourism then a booth is not going to work, we need a central desk for persons coming in”, Chuck-a-Sang noted.
Public Relations Consultant, Kit Nascimento who edited the guide hailed it as unique. He said everything about Guyana was referenced in it from sports to culture to entertainment, adding that it serves to educate the average Guyanese as well.
Nascimento noted his disappointment at government’s non-support of the guide stating that commercial support was the key to its preparation. He said the value of the guide to the tourism industry is tremendous and lauded THAG among other private businesses for supporting it.
Bert Plas, General Manager of Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel added that finally his hotel can give guests a comprehensive guide of the country and not have them rely on second hand information. He noted also that persons staying with them are not likely to leave saying, “Why did I just only find out about Kaieteur Falls and I am leaving tomorrow”.
He said the guide is attractive looking; very handy and a welcome initiative in the tourism sector.
The guide was printed by Global Printing & Graphics Inc which is a subsidiary of Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. The company was lauded for a first-class printing job which was initially intended for a Trinidadian printery.
That is a positive step finally it seems we are getting it right i do hope after Carifesta these hand outs will be around for Visitors to obtain and i do hope the proper instructions for driving while in Guyana is included, also the information is posted at the port of arrival.
Hearty congratulations on publication of this Pocket guide on Guyana.
Just in time for Carifesta too!
It is a shame the Government did not sponsor the project however it is also understandable because of lack of funds and the pocket guide does not appear to be a charitable effort.
Still I am sure the guides will be a sell-out as before. Well done for this private initiative.
There is also an online tour guide at:
http://www.sdnp.org.gy/gallery/travel_guyana/index.htm
Thanks for this link Satish
Way to go GT.
Man I’m so proud.
As a regular vivitor to this country i think this is a very outstanding initiative and its a shame the government did not have an input. Guyana is a remarkable country and it needs to be showcased not only the negativity that has been in the media recently. I am from barbados and i myself promote guyana very much at my work place and the wider community so at least next time i visit i can get some some of these guides
impressive! this needs to be done for all social events..
Congratulation to Gem Madhoo and everyone involved, for their sterling efforts in trying to fill a void by producing this guide.
Their eforts are a testimony to the resilence and endurance of entrepreneurisn and the private sector, which has been the backbone of the various communities in Guyana; despite efforts by the former Burnham dictatorship to supress it and, the disincentives and bureaucratic and administrative hurdles which are placed in the way of its growth by the present political administration.
Ah, hogwash, leave out the political @%#* , it is an excellent effort. Congrats, wish I can get my hands on one.
i love my country,no more standing in line for food.
So why aren’t you there enjoying this regime?
A step in the right direction ;Irie G.T !! Excellent job,’Producers’.good timing.
I hope it have tips on places to avoid?
There needs to be an online map of Georgetown and environs, nothing fancy or even to scale, a basic pdf map that have at least major street names and possibly landmarks.
Congratulations Gem, Kit, and Team, for your SUPERB and STERLING efforts, despite setbacks.
Excellent work to promote Guyana, with your sustained efforts.