Guyana’s first SOTIC puts community tourism and regional cooperation in focus
Guyana’s first hosting of the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) brought more than 300 visiting delegates to the country, providing a platform to showcase its community-based tourism and call for closer Caribbean cooperation.
Speaking on the ‘Starting Point’ podcast, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues said the event demonstrated Guyana’s capacity to host major regional and international conferences.
“It was a proud moment for us to be able to show the potential of Guyana in hosting these major regional and international conferences,” she said.
The five-day programme included discussions involving representatives from Guyana’s hotel and restaurant industries, tour operators and Indigenous communities.
The minister said the range of participants helped ensure that the country’s approach to sustainable tourism was represented.
Delegates were also encouraged to experience local food, culture and attractions during their stay.
“I wanted them to see Guyana beyond the conference room,” the minister said.
A central theme of the conference was the need for Caribbean destinations to work together to strengthen investment, improve transport connections and make regional tourism more competitive.
During the conference Guyana brought a different perspective to those discussions, with a tourism product that extends beyond the sun, sand and beach experiences commonly associated with the Caribbean.
To this end, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali urged regional partners to increase cooperation and investment in tourism.
“These are the industries that will continue to drive productivity and make our economy resilient far beyond oil and gas,” she said.
The country’s community-based tourism model attracted particular interest from regional participants.
She added that the approach supports livelihoods, creates jobs and encourages communities to preserve their natural and cultural resources.
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