Businesses, individuals awarded for work in tourism sector

Eight local companies and personalities were recognised for their work in the development of the tourism industry on Friday evening, when the Ministry of Business in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority hosted the ninth annual Tourism Awards and Dinner at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.

Those awarded for their sterling contribution in the sector included: Captain Gerald Gouveia – Tourism Entrepreneur; Iwokrama Conversation – People’s Choice Award for Responsible Tourism; Rewa Eco-Lodge – Most Outstanding Community Tourism Project and Waldyke Prince – Tour Guide of the Year.  Three companies and an indigenous conservation group were presented with Tourism Recognition awards: Cara Lodge Hotel – Service in Tourism Accommodation; Obama Boat Service – Service in Tourism Transportation (from Parika to Bartica); Palm Spring Hotel, Bartica – Investment in the Tourism Sector and South Rupununi Conservation Society – Outstanding Contribution to Tourism by an NGO/volunteer group.

Front row from left: Captain Gerald Gouveia of Roraima Group of Companies, Rehana Rahim of Palm Springs Hotel, Shawn McGrath of Cara Lodge, Gary Jordon of Obama Boat Service, Dicky Alvin of Rewa Eco Lodge, Iwokrama representative Shera Seelall and Leroy Ignacio of South Rupununi Conservation Society. Back row: Country Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank Sophie Makonnen (second, left), Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin (fourth, left) and Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes (third, right) along with tourism and private sector executives.
Front row from left: Captain Gerald Gouveia of Roraima Group of Companies, Rehana Rahim of Palm Springs Hotel, Shawn McGrath of Cara Lodge, Gary Jordon of Obama Boat Service, Dicky Alvin of Rewa Eco Lodge, Iwokrama representative Shera Seelall and Leroy Ignacio of South Rupununi Conservation Society. Back row: Country Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank Sophie Makonnen (second, left), Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin (fourth, left) and Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes (third, right) along with tourism and private sector executives.

The month of November is tourism month and a number of activities are being hosted by the Guyana Tourism Authority in partnership with the Ministry of Business.

The celebrations are being held under the theme – ‘Tourism for All – Building Partnerships for Tourism Development’.

Among the highlights of the month’s activities are Guyana Restaurant Week which concludes today, launching of Explore Guyana Magazine 2017, South Rupununi Safari, and Visitors Appreciation Day at the country’s international airports and the Rockstone Fish Festival.