Dear Editor,
Strange how simple things can stimulate your thoughts. Two young female students on their way from school engrossed in a conversation and seemingly oblivious to anything else, cut their discussion to say “good afternoon” to me, as I, walking in the opposite direction was about to walk past them. Now, I wasn’t quite expecting this – see the way our society has become? You take things as they come; some, both children and adults, reach out to you and some don’t; it is just not the norm. These two young women, however, did make me ponder for a moment. In fact I wasn’t even in their path since I was on the opposite side of the road as they were busy chatting. I can’t say that I know them, neither could I tell if they knew me, but their “good afternoon” was purposeful and gracefully said, befitting the conduct expected of high school students. It felt good and I gladly acknowledged it; my spirit was lifted – indeed, little things do mean a lot.
With all the chattering about tourism and creating tourist attractions, we seem to keep on the back burner the most supreme, cherished and priceless asset – our people. We talk and work to spruce up and beautify places of attraction, parks and other scenic sights, but neglect to work equally and assiduously on refining ourselves. With the vastness of nature’s creation scattered from country to country across the globe; the mind-boggling intricate design and habits of countless creatures; the magnificent colourful design of birds in graceful and spectacular flight; and our mighty Kaieteur which leaves one dumbstruck, they cannot be compared to the human spirit which possesses that element which allows us to reach out, touch hearts, and elevate the personality. Without it we wouldn’t be anything near the likeness of the creator. The most valuable assets are always people; the warmth of a people can put life into others, and make them feel a need to belong. As Dionne Warwick sings: “We don’t need another mountain/ There are mountains, valleys, meadows and oceans enough to last till the end of time/ What we need more of is love.“ So true, everyone craves love.
And we cannot be so simple as to believe that all tourists travel around the world free of emotional turmoil; are not the depressed and stress-loaded maybe seeking some solace? Don’t some travel merely to unwind? There’s no need for them to say it, though it’s often hidden under the smile. It stands to reason then that after all the eye-popping and captivating nature watching, the lavish sun baths, the romantic moonbeams and tasty foods, the final thing to cap it all must be the interaction with our people – folks therapy –where they see our true colours and experience our much vaunted hospitality. And the hospitality of a people can be a magnetic attraction for tourists, since people gravitate to places that they hear good things about and long to experience same. Our natural scenery and wildlife attractions, etc, are not independent from our people; they go hand in hand. Thus, exploiting the fullness of their worth depends greatly on our cordial disposition towards visitors.
It is my take that any meaningful approach to enhance tourism should target schools as the islands do, to sensitize our young people, to groom and inculcate in them positive social behaviour which becomes second nature – embedded. Lord! This seems to be such a tall order. Understand that nothing is more ugly, repulsive, uncouth and disgusting than encountering young people, immaculately dressed, passing elders while staring them flush in the face without a “good morning”/ “good afternoon.“ Some upon entering a building/office would do the same thing; there is no basic common courtesy, and they will even interrupt a conversation to make an enquiry, totally ignorant of any form of etiquette. The better some are dressed, the worse they are. But what the heck! Adults do the very same thing; many only try to be civil to those they consider to be important, so how can we blame the children. The question is: what are we aiming at? How much do we expect to achieve focusing and brightening up places of attraction, while leaving our main asset on which our tourism must rely greatly unattended and shabby.
At the end of their stay tourists should have a spring in their step; we should have them in a come-back mood; their spirits should be so lifted whereby they feel on top of the world, and would be in better shape when their time is up. And all this should be attributed to the treatment – folks therapy – they received from our people; a wonderful experience and plain and simple courtesy which cost not one penny. There is a need to be polite and reach out to touch each other, whether at home or on tour. It is simple as that, just as those two young female students, wittingly or unwittingly did to me. Sadly, this seems to be a dying custom.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
