Dear Editor,
Minister of Tourism and Public Telecommunications, Hon. Cathy Hughes, made a momentous announcement to the media last week, which unfortunately, has been overshadowed by other, I presume, more salacious and entertaining events, that is, the Minister has formed a National Tourism Council, which will be the umbrella organization, so to speak, that coalesces all aspects of tourism in Guyana.
As a Guyanese who has been advocating the importance of tourism, as an important contributor to Guyana’s economy, I was elated to see Guyana finally coming to grips with what has be the focal point to a coming vibrant economy. Guyana’s government started its march into independence with leaders who were averse to the tourism trade, then leaders who were lukewarm and finally, apparently, leaders who have seen the tremendous economic value of it.
Last Carifesta X, in August, 2008, I was in Guyana, when Bahamas’ Minister of Tourism, boasted that The Bahamas hosted some 800,000 tourists every year. With all due respects, The Bahamas are islands, surrounded by a beautiful ocean and beautiful beaches. That’s it. Except for all of the other manmade trappings which were created for human entertainment purposes. Guyana however, has beaches that need work, as all beaches do, once human traffic has invaded them, but we also have a near pristine rain forest, with many natural waterways!
‘But, nothing good come easy’. Under the umbrella of the National Tourism Council, there would have to be a planning commission of qualified, interested parties from Guyana and possibly the diaspora, who are capable of preparing a comprehensive and successful plan.
The best of luck to Minister Cathy Hughes.
You have hit a six into the leg side pavilion. (I’m revisiting my cricket roots.)
Yours faithfully,
Albert R. Cumberbatch, Ph. D.
