A group of British wildlife reporters have completed a seven-day tour of Guyana and have left impressed but believe that more must be done to market this country since it has much to offer in the area of eco-tourism.
The team which comprised Sophie Stafford of the BBC Wildlife Magazine, Laura Smith of Cox and Kings Limited, Nick Foley of the British Press Association, Jeremy Clarke of The Specta-tor and Chris Leadbeater, a freelance travel writer of the Daily Mail left Guyana on Friday last.
They were here as part of Tourism Month activities and their trip was organized by Cox and Kings Limited, the world’s longest established travel company, which organises high quality group tours, private journeys and tailor-made itineraries to many of the world’s most fascinating regions.
The journalists, at a cocktail reception held in their honour at the British High Commissioner’s residence on Thursday last, spoke briefly with the media.
“It has been full of surprises, beautiful scenery and spectacular wildlife and untouched forests,” was how Stafford described all that she has seen.
There was a consensus that marketing was definitely lacking when it comes to all that Guyana has to offer.
Stafford said when she learnt she was coming to Guyana she did not know what to expect even though she is not a stranger to South America.
“I think that marketing is definitely lacking and so a lot of people don’t know about Guyana, but I enjoyed every bit of our tours to all the various tourist sites including the Kaieteur Falls and I when I go back I will write about it and so many people will become familiar,” she said.
Smith’s sentiments were the same regarding the need for more marketing and felt that there were many opportunities to explore Guyana and like Stafford said the wildlife was amazing. She commented on the friendliness and hospitality of the communities that they visited and said it was admirable how they were comfortable with their environment.
She was confident that Guyana is on the right track in becoming an eco-tourism destination.
Leadbeater, who says he has had not much exposure to South America, was like the regular tourist who is im-pressed with Kaieteur Falls.
“Getting close to it and seeing how it is so beautiful was quite shocking. We had a wonderful week here,” he said.
He too commented on the importance of more vibrant marketing to make the world know what Guyana has to offer.
“It was so good coming here and seeing that the country still treasures and holds dear what the western world has lost, it was so nice to here,” he said
The journalists are expected to produce features on their visit to Guyana, promoting the country as part of tourism awareness activities.
