The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in collaboration with Wilderness Explorers recently trained 25 persons as city tour guides.
“The 14-day training programme was facilitated by General Manager/Director of Wilderness Explorers Teri O’Brien and former Operations Manager of Iwokrama Paul Waldron, both of whom have a wealth of experience in the tourism industry,” a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh said the training was facilitated to fill the need for a sustainable pool of city tour guides for when cruise ships arrive and for other guided city tour opportunities. He said guides play a critical role in providing a safe and quality experience for tourists and they will further enhance Guyana’s image as a tourist destination.
The ministry also plans to conduct similar training for guides at Kaieteur, for river tours, the Rupununi and for vendors, taxi services, arts and craft producers and pageant contestants/organizers. This will allow the newly trained guides to obtain certification for each location which will boost their guiding skills, knowledge and professional development.
GINA said last year the GTA undertook a number of training programmes/sessions such as customer service, events management, hospitality, front line training for employees at Moleson Creek and the Takutu border crossing, bookkeeping and culinary arts. The list of tour guides will be provided to all tour operators, resorts and hotels.
