MASHRAMANI 2012 promises to be quite impression with a ‘packed programme’ for the

upcoming season. Guyanese and visitors alike will be in for a real treat, as Guyana observes

its 42nd Republic Anniversary under the theme ‘Mashing with Pride; Keeping the Tradition

Alive’.

That theme was the winning entry of several submitted, and was the work of

communication icon Ms. Margaret Lawrence, who won herself a substantial cash prize of

$50,000.

The multi-cultural festival will see some new approaches, such as incorporating an

educational component with the Mash programme, and documenting and keeping for

future use information from these initiatives, as well as partnering with sister Caribbean

countries as Guyana seeks to strengthen the talents of it Soca and Chutney singers.

Events to look forward to are the Chutney, Calypso and Health Song competitions; the

Masquerade Band competition; Steel Band competition; the Light Up and Bright-up Guyana

competition; and the main Mashramani event – the Costume Bands and Float Parade.

Meanwhile, the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry is also working feverishly on the re-

introduction of the Masquerade Band competition and the Steel Pan competition, and is

confident that these competitions will come on stream for 2012.

As customary, thousands of persons are expected to line the streets of the capital city of

Georgetown to get a look at the spectacular costume competitions, float parades,

masquerade bands and dancing in the streets to the accompaniment of steel band music

and calypsos – creating a carnival-like atmosphere.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Botanical Garden declared a Birding Sanctuary

Guyana 5th Annual Tourism Awards hosted by GTA

GTA hosted a bartender competition

Guyana participates at WTM

Stakeholders met on Agro-Tourism

Another cruise ship docks in Guyana

Local tourism sector set to grow in 2012

EZJet launch non-stop flights from New York

Barbados tourism delegation visit Guyana

Visitors treated to traditional airport welcome

Guyana to host STC-13 in April

Latest edition of ‘Explore Guyana’ launched

Honorable Ifraan Ali was appointed Minister of Housing and Water and as

acting Minister for the Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Commerce

Ministry of Tourism, GTA conduct customer

service and frontline training

During Tourism Awareness Month 2011, 225

persons were

given a chance to

enhance their

skills through of a

series of customer

service and

frontline training

by the Ministry of

Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority.

In an effort to boost the tourism and hospitality

sector and in keeping with the theme of

„Achieving Service Excellence through

Training‟, arts and craft producers;

waiters/waitresses; and barmen participated in

customer services training, while frontline

training was done for Duty Officers, Red Caps,

and Customs and Immigration Officers attached

to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport,

Timehri.

Demonstrating the Tourism Ministry and GTA

commitment to continue training and capacity

building in the tourism and hospitality sector,

the frontline and customer service training

sought to enhance the knowledge of players in

the sector and equip them to provide better

customer care for visitors and local alike, as they

play an integral part in the country‟s tourism

related services.

In October, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry

and Commerce and the Guyana Tourism

Authority (GTA) in collaboration with the

Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS)

hosted tour guide training at the Kaieteur

National Park (KNP) in Region Seven

(Potaro/Siparuni).

The three-day guide training session was

facilitated by Mr. Chuck Lennox, Consultant for

Cascade Interpretive Consulting. He was also

the trainer for the GTIS tour guide interpretive

training programme conducted earlier this year

in the Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper

Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

The training targeted ten (10) wardens and tour

guides of the KNP as well as new guides from

nearby villages of Chenapou and Karisparu.

The well-received training programme sought to

provide the participants with the first-hand

knowledge and interpretation skills needed to

conduct tours at the park which attracts scores of

visitors every year while providing a sustainable

pool of individuals to conduct tour at the park,

which is home to Guyana‟s premier tourist

attraction, the majestic Kaieteur Falls.

Ministry of Tourism, GTA host bartender

cocktail competition

As part of its Tourism Awareness Month 2011

activities, the Ministry of Tourism and the

Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in

collaboration with

the Demerara

Distillers Limited

hosted a „Bartenders

Cocktail

Competition‟ on

November 12 at the

Umana Yana in

Kingston, Georgetown.

The exciting competition attracted seven local

bartenders and two foreigners vying for the title

of „Bartender of the Year‟.

Each participant had to mix two cocktails,

wowing the crowd with their different style and

names of the various cocktails.

Devon Ramlikhan of the Edge Lounge captured

the first prize with his cocktails „Sweet Kiss and

Tropics‟ and received a trophy and cash prize of

$30,000.

Second place went to Shawn Allen from the

Guyana Defense Force Officers‟ Mess Hall for

his cocktails „White Chicks and Breezy Hotel‟,

who got a trophy and a trip to Kaieteur

compliments of Ministry of Tourism.

The third prize of a trophy and a day trip to

Baganara Island Resort compliments of

Evergreen Adventures went to Paton Rose of the

Upscale Restaurant and Bar, for his cocktails „El

Dorado Ambitious and Sun Seeker‟.

Ministry of Tourism hosts Fifth Annual

Tourism Awards

Several persons and entities were recognized for

their sterling contribution towards tourism

development in Guyana, at the Ministry of

Tourism annual Tourism Awards.

The gala event held at the Guyana

International Conference Centre, Liliendaal,

East Coast Demerara, also saw persons receiving

certificates for their participation in the

Pakaraima Mountain Safari; one of the leading

adventure trips in Guyana.

Part of the Ministry‟s calendar of

activities to commemorate Tourism Awareness

Month, ten individuals, communities, and

organizations received plaques for their

exemplary contributions to the growth of the

industry.

The awardees were: Duane and Sandy

DeFreitas from Rupununi Trails - Tourism

Pioneers; Rewa in Region Nine (Upper

Takutu/Upper Essequibo)- Community Based

Tourism Development; Peter and Ruth

Rajmangal from No. 58 Rest Stop -

Longstanding Service Provider; Mr. Wilfred

Jagnarine from Lake Mainstay Resort, Region

Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) - Tourism

Entrepreneur; Redjet - Improved Access to

Regional Market; Mr. Ashley Holland - Tour

Guide of the Year; Mr. Ian Craddock - Pillar of

Tourism Industry; Herdmanston Lodge - Best

Home-style Stay; Guyana National Shipping

Corporation - Support for Cruise Tourism; and

the Cheddi Jagan International Airport - Service

for Travel & Tourism.

Guyana participates in WTM

During Tourism Awareness Month 2011,

„Destination Guyana‟ was successfully

showcased and much-talked about at the World

Travel Market (WTM), the world‟s second

largest travel trade show.

The Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana

Tourism Authority led Guyana‟s delegation to

the event which was held in London from

November 7 to 10, in its continuous effort to

promote and market „Guyana – the Amazon

Adventure‟ in the international arena.

In a show of public and private collaboration,

apart from the Tourism and Hospitality

Association of Guyana (THAG), private sector

companies that joined them included Wilderness

Explorers, Dadanawa Ranch, the North

Rupununi District Development Board,

Hurakabra River Resort and Rupununi Trails.

Staged annually - WTM dubbed the premier

global event for the travel industry - presented a

unique opportunity for the whole global travel

trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct

business under one roof.

Guyana which has been attending WTM for over

ten years, was once again given the opportunity

to network and link with other tour operators to

promote and sell Guyana as a unique ecological,

nature and adventure tourist destination, and

high interest was shown in the destination.

At WTM, the Explore Guyana 2012 magazine

and the British Broadcasting Corporation ten-

part series retracing the footsteps of Sir Walter

Raleigh for the fabled City of Gold El Dorado

were launched, while visitors were also given a

chance to sample the Demerara Distillers

Limited popular rum punch.

Botanical Gardens declared a ‘Bird

Sanctuary’

„Destination Guyana‟ which is certainly a

paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers,

and the eco tourist-alike, is a birding hotspot and

paradise.

Its Botanical Gardens found in the capital city of

Georgetown was declared a „Bird Sanctuary‟ on

November 18, 2011, by the Minister of Tourism,

Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram

Prashad.

The activity was part of a series of activities for

Tourism Awareness Month, observed under the

theme “Achieving Service Excellence through

Training”.

The Botanical Garden which is an Important

Birding Area in Guyana, has a land mass of 185

acres and an amazing over 189 bird species from

41 families.

The first such sanctuary in Guyana – is as a

result of a collaborative effort between the

Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Amazon

Tropical Bird Society and the National Parks

Commission. Also, a plaque was unveiled

by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce

Manniram Prashad, in honour of the momentous

occasion.

Guyana with over 870 species and counting is a

birding hotspot and paradise, and has been

described as “the top new neo-tropical birding

destination and one of the best birding spots in

the world”.

Workshop held to brainstorm agro-tourism

opportunities

The Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana

Tourism Authority (GTA) in collaboration with

the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on

Agriculture (IICA), on November 20, 2011

hosted a workshop, with the aim to explore agro-

tourism opportunities consistent with Guyana‟s

Low Carbon Development Strategy.

Given the country‟s tremendous potential in this

niche market, the one-day session was part of a

series of activities during Tourism Awareness

Month 2011, observed under the theme

„Achieving Service Excellence through

Training‟.

Held at the Splashmin‟s Eco Park and Resort on

the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, its objective

were: to broadly define agro-tourism with

specific reference to Guyana‟s potential and

current offerings; list the major planks of

Guyana‟s development strategy that involve the

natural environment; identify the benefits of

linking agriculture with tourism; discuss

challenges and issues; describe and promote at

least one successful agro-tourism enterprise; and

develop an outline proposal for agro-tourism

enterprises.

Participants included United States Agency for

International Development/Guyana Trade and

Investment Support (USAID/GTIS), National

Agricultural Research Institute, Tourism and

Hospitality Association of Guyana, Kingdom

Apiary, Aquaculture Association of Guyana,

Onverwagt Aquacultural Enterprise Inc., Bounty

Farm Ltd, Conservation International,

Splashmins, North Rupununi District

Development Board, Carnegie School of Home

Economics, North West Organics, Mangrove

Reserve – Wellington and Cove & John,

Gardenland Nursery, Mainstay Village, Guyana

Rice Development Board, Guyana School of

Agriculture, Rock View Lodge, and Guyana

Sugar Corporation.

Le Levant docks in Guyana for second time

this year

THE luxurious French cruise ship, „Le Levant‟

visited Guyana for the second time this year,

when its docked on November 21, at the Guyana

National Industrial Company‟s (GNIC) terminal

in Georgetown, carrying 32 passengers and 54

crew members on board.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce

Tourism Minister Mr. Manniram Prashad along

with President of the Tourism and Hospitality

Association of Guyana (THAG) Mr. Paul

Stephenson; General Manager of Wilderness

Explorers Ms. Teri O‟Brien and other officials

of the Tourism Ministry and the Guyana

Tourism Authority, ventured on board to interact

with the Captain Mathiev Lebrun and crew.

Guyana which started out late as a tourist

destination has been doing extremely well in the

short time it has been involved in tourism with

eco-tourism being its niche market.

Extending a warm welcome to the visitors,

Minister Prashad said he is happy that the ship is

here in Guyana again, acknowledging that the

repeat visit augurs well for promoting

Destination Guyana.

The Captain was presented with several tokens

of appreciation by Minister Prashad and also

representatives of THAG and Wilderness

Explorers.

During its brief stay, some of the passengers

were able to see some of Guyana‟s rich culture

and architecture located in the capital city of

Georgetown, and given a chance to purchase

souvenirs, before heading to Grenada. The „Le

Levant‟ made its first voyage to Guyana in

March.

Sixth Annual Rockstone Fish Festival

launched

Scores of visitors both locally and

internationally converged on Rockstone in

Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice), for its

annual fish festival.

The event which continues to grow annually,

creating more enthusiasm with regard to sport

fishing, was held on the weekend of November

19 and 20, in the small fishing community 18

miles from Linden.

First staged in September 2006, the aim is

promoting the location as a major tourist

attraction for sport fishing as its waterways are

teeming with fishes, including one of the largest

freshwater fishes in the world, the Arapaima.

Apart from the traditional fishing competition,

for biggest or most caught fish, persons were

also engaged in several other fun activities such

as fishing expedition, fish catching, deboning

and cooking competitions and guided river tours

to nearby Golden Beach and Gluck Island,

which has a rich population of birds, at least 140

species and a natural habitat for the giant otter,

big river turtles, „Howler‟ monkeys, labbas,

iguanas, bush hogs, black caimans and is home

to the National Flower, Victoria Amazonia. Its

surroundings offer possibilities for bird

watching, river safaris, nature walks and sport

fishing and, as such, the Tourism Ministry has

been working to develop the area as an attraction

for visitors.

Third Annual Orealla launched

The riverain community of Orealla came alive

on November 12 attracting scores of visitors for

its third annual regatta. The event hosted by

Cortours Eco-Tourist Resorts on the Upper

Corentyne River, in partnership with the

Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce

and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA),

allowed persons to experience the beauty of the

Corentyne River and explore the community

located approximately 50 miles from Crabwood

Creek on the Corentyne Coast.

Orealla is ideal for a regatta and it afforded

residents of the Amerindian community an

opportunity to showcase, display and even

market their craft. Apart from the series of

exciting boat races, other fun-filled activities

included canoe race, cassava grating

competition, greasy pole climbing, canoe tug-o-

war and cultural activities. Orealla, which has a

population of about 1500, has a rich history of

culture and heritage as many other Amerindian

communities in Guyana.

Tourism sector set for greater 2012 growth,

development

The local tourism sector is set to experience

even greater growth and development in the

coming year, according to the Director of the

Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr.

Indranauth Haralsingh, who said his agency is

poised to facilitate this expansion.

He said with the continued support of the

Government and the private sector, they will

succeed, and to this end, GTA has proposed a

number of initiatives, including the continued

promotion of familiarisation (FAM) trips and

increasing international marketing strategies to

include the Diaspora and attendance at key

travel trade shows.

In addition, Haralsingh said persons can

anticipate more packaging next year to attract

visitors and persons from overseas to

Destination Guyana, so that they, too, will be

encouraged to invest.

Pleading to work more closely with the private

sector to achieve the common goal of growing

the industry, he also acknowledged that the

Government has already invested in the

necessary infrastructure to support and promote

a growing tourism sector in Guyana.

EZJet launch non-stop flights from New York

EZJet, a public charter programme operated by

EZjet Air Services of Guyana and Florida, in the

busy season of December, launched direct

flights between Guyana and New York.

In another boost for the tourism industry, flights

are operating six days each week. During the

festive season, many Guyanese came home to

enjoy the holidays with their loved ones and

friends resulting in a influx of visitors, which

has augur well for the tourism sector. The

operating airline for EZJet is Dynamic Airways

of the US, whose parent, Dynamic Aviation,

operates more than 100 aircraft and has been

providing air services around the world for the

past 75 years.

Visitor arrivals continue to show positive

trend

„Destination Guyana‟ continues to show positive

trends recording a 3.3 increase in 2011, when

compared to 2010.

„Guyana – the Amazon Adventure‟

which has rapidly been gaining recognition in

the international arena, as attractive ecological,

nature and adventure tourist destination, when

compared to 2010, saw a 159, 910 rise in

arrivals, with nine record breaking months -

January, April, May, June, July, September,

October, November and December.

This positive trend shows confidence in

the destination and points to the success in the

marketing and promotion of it by the Ministry of

Tourism, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and

other industry stakeholders.

While Government has been making

significant investment in the growing sector,

Guyana has been hosting several familiarisation

(FAM) trips and maintaining attendance at key

trade shows such as the International Travel

Bourst (ITB), British Bird Watching Fair, and

World Trade Market.

The country has been featured and

highlighted in various popular international

publications and has gained tremendous

exposure through shows such as the British

Broadcasting Corporation‟s (BBC) three-part

series - „The Lost Land of the Jaguar‟, popular

United States reality television show „Reel and

Birding Adventures‟ and WSEE TV and One

Caribbean Weather, and the recently released

British Broadcasting Corporation ten-part series

retracing the footsteps of Sir Walter Raleigh in

search of the fabled City of Gold, El Dorado.

„Destination Guyana‟ has also been

featured in Russell Maklin new book called „101

Amazing Adventures of the World‟.

Several major activities also attracted

scores of visitors while there has been increase

air access with the coming of new airlines like

EZJet and REDjet.

Barbados tourism delegation visit Guyana

A 135-member delegation from Barbados during

December visited „Destination Guyana‟ on a

weekend retreat. During their stay, the group

headed by Barbados Minister of Tourism

Richard Sealy was given the opportunity to

experience the beauty of Guyana‟s unique

tourism. While here, President Donald Ramotar

joined them at a cocktail reception hosted by

Roraima Airways and the Guyana Tourism

Authority, at Duke Lodge in Kingston,

Georgetown, when he extended a warm

welcome to Minister Sealy and his delegation,

and invited them to visit and take advantage of

the tremendous tourism potentials Guyana has to

offer, including the majestic Kaieteur Falls, the

magnificent mountain ranges, some of the „more

than 365 islands‟ of the mighty Essequibo River

and the colourful and breath-taking flora and

fauna. The delegation visited Kaieteur Falls,

Arrowpoint Resort, tour the Essequibo River and

the capital city of Georgetown.

Main Big Lime attract thousands

Thousands of Guyanese and visitors enjoyed the

Ministry of Tourism‟s annual „Main Big Lime‟

event on Main Street, in the capital city of

Georgetown, on Boxing Day. The event, which

proved to be an overwhelming success despite

inclement weather, attracted scores of persons

who came out to mingle, lime and have fun.

Joining patrons at the relaxing and enjoyable

atmosphere was President Donald Ramotar who

said that the Main Big Lime is an extension of

Christmas, as the Christmas season is a time

which brings people and families together, and

as such communities come out and enjoy

themselves together.

Because of this, the Main Big Lime has now

become a signature event on the list of tourist

activities as it has grown popular among

Guyanese residing overseas, who would visit for

the season.

The Guyana Tourism Authority used the event

to promote Guyana‟s unique tourism product by

disseminating information and interacting with

visitors at a booth set up, while local producers

of arts and craft showed off their products. The

annual event which is aimed at promoting the

unique Guyanese culture, while providing

tourists and citizens with a spectacular occasion

for a “reunion” every year, was first held in

1999.

Visitors treated to traditional airport

welcome Visitors were treated to the traditional Christmas

welcome at the Cheddi Jagan International

Airport, Timehri, during the festive season.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and

Commerce, in collaboration with CJIA and

several private sector bodies, including Banks

DIH limited, Madewini Resort and Beharry

Group of Companies, provided an opportunity

for passengers to sample the true tradition of the

Guyanese Christmas.

Upon disembarking, the planes and entering the

arrival terminal at CJIA, passengers were

greeted by carol singing and masquerade

dancing, and were treated to black cake and

some of Guyana‟s fine beverages.

Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, who

is holding the responsibility for the tourism

sector, was also on hand to warmly welcome

some of the passengers. The Ministry of

Tourism had also planned a host of events for

the festive season, including the Christmas tree

light up, the Main Big Lime, and the many other

festivities in and out of the city for tourists and

Guyanese returning home for the holidays.

Tourism Ministry hosts Christmas tree light-

up

The Ministry of Tourism ushered in the

Christmas season, by hosting its Sixth Annual

Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Rahaman‟s

Park on the East Bank of Demerara, on

December 15.

His Excellency President Donald Ramotar

switched on the lights on the tree. He took the

opportunity to extend his message of peace and

goodwill. The Head of State extended holiday

greetings to the hundreds of persons gathered.

After the formal ceremony, the children were

entertained by Santa Claus and his elves, who

paraded through the crowd to spread even more

Christmas cheer.

Guyana to hosts STC-13 next April

Guyana will be the proud host of the 13th

Annual Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC-

13), from April 15-18, 2012.

In 2011, Guyana copped the Caribbean

Excellence in Sustainable Tourism, jointly with

Harrison‟s Cave in Barbados, a prestigious

award by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation

(CTO), in collaboration with TravelMole.

The CTO has been staging its Annual

Conference on Sustainable Tourism

Development, otherwise known as the

Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC), since

1997.

This Conference which will attract

Tourism Ministers, top media and travel writers

among other officials, is part of the information

dissemination and regional awareness

component of CTO‟s Strategy for Sustainable

Tourism.

It looks at how Member States can

design and implement sustainable tourism

policies and programmes, offering a regional

forum for information exchange on the

successes and pitfalls of national, regional, and

international initiatives.

STC also serves as a primary arena

where new and creative ideas about enhancing

the competitiveness and sustainability of the

Caribbean tourism product are generated.

STC-12 was hosted at Fairmont

Southampton, Bermuda from April 3 to 6, 2011,

under the theme “Keeping the Right Balance:

Rising Above the Numbers”.

Miss Amerindian Heritage Queen receives

laptop from Tourism Ministry

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce

Manniram Prashad on November 18 handed

over a brand new laptop to Miss Amerindian

Heritage pageant Queen Naomi Samuels.

The ministry delivered on its promise, at a

simple presentation and Minister Prashad took

the opportunity to officially congratulate the

Queen and wished her all the best during her

reign, noting that she is an ambassador for

Guyana and our tourism. The Queen was

encouraged to continue to promote her rich

culture which is part of Guyana‟s unique tourism

product, and to be a good role model to young

people especially in Amerindian communities.

The Amerindian Heritage Pageant 2011, which

conveyed aptly the fusion of diverse cultures

that is the Amerindian way of life, was held at

the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown

during September, as part of a series of events

during Amerindian Heritage Month celebration.

The twenty-five-year old from Santa Aratak

Mission, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West

Demerara) took the crown, beating nine other

contestants.

Latest edition of ‘Explore Guyana’, ‘Guyana

– Where and What’ launched

The Tourism and Hospitality Association of

Guyana (THAG) launched the latest edition of

the Explore Guyana Magazine „The Call of the

Wild‟ in December.

The official tourist guide of Guyana is one of the

main marketing tools for the destination on the

international scene. The informative and

educational annual magazine promoting

„Destination Guyana‟, has an impressive cover

design featuring Guyana‟s majestic Kaieteur

Falls. The magazine showcases a number of

optional tourist activities and amazing

attractions that one can be involved in

throughout the length and breadth of Guyana

and useful information on Guyana.

Meanwhile, the fifth edition of the „Guyana –

Where and What‟ tour guide and handbook was

released. The well-designed pocket book

reflecting the country‟s natural beauty and

wildlife is published by Mrs. Gem Madhoo-

Nascimento. It tells you about „Everywhere you

need to go, Everything you need to know…‟ and

the local publication continues to be one of the

best source of references for tourists coming into

the country – as well as for some of us locals,

who need help navigating this beautiful country

of ours.

Getting involved in tourism development. How?

Training - Training can be obtained from the

University of Guyana, Carnegie School of Home

Economics, International Business College and

School of the Nations.

The Guyana Tourism Authority is offering groups

and interested parties FREE training courses in Front

Desk Management, Tour Guiding, Customer

Services and Frontline training. Groups and

interested parties can submit their interest by writing

the Authority requesting these FREE training.

For more information on how to obtain training

please call 219 0094-6.

REGIONAL NEWS

REDjet adds St. Lucia to its

destinations

Redjet, the Caribbean‟s first low

fare airline during the Christmas

season started to fly to St. Lucia,

as it continues to extend it services

across the region.

The carrier officially began flying

to St. Lucia‟s Hewannorra

International Airport, on December

16 from Barbados with fares

beginning at US$9.99, making the

destination the seventh port of call

since its introduction, in April this

year.

Redjet which was officially

introduced to Guyana in April, is

already offering flights to

Trinidad, Barbados and Antigua

with the aim of offering affordable

flights to persons.

Canadian journalist wins CTO

award for photo taken in

Guyana

The Caribbean Tourism

Organisation (CTO) in December

honoured veteran Canadian travel

journalist Theresa Storm with an

award for excellence in

photography.

She was awarded during the media

awards luncheon held on

December 8, as part of Caribbean

Week festivities in Toronto, for the

best photograph published in

conjunction with a feature article

in a Canadian publication in 2010.

Storm took the photo in Guyana on

a fall 2009 trip organized by the

Guyana Sustainable Tourism

Initiative (GSTI), a joint initiative

of the Guyana Tourism Authority

and United States Agency for

International Development/

Guyana Trade and Investment

Support programme

(USAID/GTIS).

Storm‟s photo and feature article,

„Where Mother Nature Still Reigns

Supreme‟, was originally

published in the Calgary Herald

and subsequently by the Montreal

Gazette, Vancouver Sun, Windsor

Star, Dawson Creek Daily News,

the Times – Transcript, Delta

Optimist and Canada.com.

Her image captures the essence of

the unique and authentic nature

and cultural experiences Guyana

offers. It features Diane McTurk,

charming owner of Karanambu

Lodge, playing in the Rupununi

River with Buddy, a blind giant

river otter orphan. McTurk is

renowned for her life‟s work

rescuing and rehabilitating

endangered giant river otters.

January

Filming expedition by the History

Channel

Adonia’s Cruise ship Arrival

Launching of the ‘Guyana Where

and What’

Board of Directors meeting

CTO’s STC committee site visit

Stakeholders engagement on new

tourism sites

February

Mashramani

Launching of the ACCT’s circuit

manual

Stakeholders engagement on a

Sail Guyana Week in 2012

Finalizing plans to host a

monthly television programme

Updates on the hosting of STC-

13

March

ITB – Berlin trade show

Phagwah weekend

celebration

Packaging

Launching of a ‘Guyana

Dining Guide ‘

April

The Guyana Tourism Authority – National Exhibition Centre, Sophia, Georgetown, Guyana

Tele: 592 219 0094-6 | Fax: 592 219 0093 | Email: info@guyana-tourism.com | Web: www.guyana-tourism.com | www.guyanabirding.com