Caribbean destinations must find new ways to diversify their tourism offerings while protecting the culture and traditions, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Kamrul Baksh, said on Monday.
Baksh was speaking as part of a panel at the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) at the Atlantic Suites by Hyatt in Kingston, Georgetown, where regional tourism stakeholders are examining the future of the industry.
He said tourism is a complex and cross-cutting industry, creating opportunities across a wide range of sectors and requiring destinations to look beyond traditional tourism offerings.
“You have to understand the industry. The industry is very intricate, very cross-cutting. There are many opportunities. You need to first understand all the various sides,” Baksh said.
The forum on Monday focused on the role youths play in becoming the future leaders of the industry. Baksh said the region must consider how existing cultural and heritage assets can be transformed into meaningful tourism experiences while ensuring that their authenticity is not lost in the process. Baksh said destinations need to examine the types of experiences they offer and identify opportunities to diversify their tourism products.
“It is important not to dilute the authenticity of our experiences,” he stressed.
He said the growing importance of artisans and traditional skills can provide both cultural value and entrepreneurial opportunities. Baksh spoke of an 80-year-old woman he met in the South of Guyana, who practices weaving, but her daughter may not necessarily want to continue the craft herself, she is interested in the entrepreneurial side of it.
He said such situations highlight the need to preserve traditional knowledge while allowing younger generations to find new ways to build businesses around it.
“The artisan side of things is very important. You have to understand how to create it. Passing down the knowledge and information is very, very vital as well,” he said.
Baksh said the proliferation of young entrepreneurs in the Caribbean tourism industry, particularly in tour operations, over the past six years, shows the high interest of youth in the industry. He encouraged those entering the sector to develop an understanding of the industry as a whole before finding their own niche.
“You have to have a great sense of the entire industry as a whole, find your niche,” he said.
Baksh said the future of Caribbean tourism will depend on attracting visitors and creating a wider range of authentic experiences that allow destinations, communities and entrepreneurs to benefit from the industry’s growth.
Source: NEW ROOMS SITE
