Nineteen tourism professionals have been accredited through Guyana’s Bird Guide Accreditation Programme, strengthening the country’s capacity to offer specialised, high-quality birding experiences to visitors.

The accreditation ceremony was held on Friday, at the Herdmanston Lodge.

Twelve guides completed the first phase of the Coastal Bird Guide Certification, while seven Rupununi-based guides completed the Bird Guide Accreditation Programme and received local bird guide accreditation.

November 2025, The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, in partnership with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS), launched Guyana’s first official Bird Guide Accreditation Programme, establishing a national system to certify expertise in bird watching and guiding.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, said the initiative is helping to professionalise an area of tourism that is closely linked to Guyana’s conservation efforts.

“We are building professional capacity while ensuring that conservation remains at the heart of the experience we offer visitors,” Minister Rodrigues said.

She noted that Guyana is home to more than 800 identified bird species, creating significant opportunities to expand birding tourism, generate livelihoods and increase the value of the country’s natural heritage.

The minister stressed that Guyana’s tourism model will continue to focus on sustainable tourism rather than mass tourism, with conservation remaining central to the development of the sector.

She charged the newly accredited guides to continue developing their expertise and sharing their knowledge, noting that their role extends beyond identifying species to helping visitors understand Guyana’s habitats and natural heritage.

Guyana Tourism Authority Director, Kamrul Baksh, said the accreditation programme was developed with the South Rupununi Conservation Society following consultations and training workshops, creating a specialised standard for bird guides beyond the Authority’s general tour-guide licensing framework.