The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) last Thursday officially relaunched the Tourism Development Fund (TDF), which is a voluntary, industry-led initiative that allows visitors to make a small, optional contribution during their stay or experience.

Funds collected are pooled and reinvested into initiatives that support Product Development, Marketing, and Capacity Building, helping to strengthen and grow Guyana’s tourism sector in a transparent and collective manner.

The TDF was first launched in 2015 as a mechanism to support sector-wide development. Between its initial launch and 2020, the Fund supported initiatives including Bird Trail signage at the Botanical Gardens, server training, early digital initiatives, and COVID-19 relief for members, demonstrating the tangible impact of collective industry contributions.

The fund will be financed through a nominal voluntary fee or contribution by hotel guests, to boost marketing, training beautification, grants, and further ICT adoption and expansion, while it also aims at the preservation of heritage sites.

THAG announced that several hotels and businesses including Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel

 Air Dash, Trail Masters Adventures, Outdoor Expeditions, Wilderness Explorers, Herdmanston Lodge, Cara Lodge and Arrow Point Nature Resort are the first group of members to sign on to the fund.

The Association also noted that additional priority areas may include training and capacity building, tourism site management and asset protection, customer service initiatives, and sector-wide product development.

Related posts:

Major expansion in tourism sector being pursued -Tourism Minister Guyana has to move away from supply driven approach to tourism development – Tourism Director Tourism Association not happy with transfer of Tourism portfolio from Hughes. Aruba breathes Hospitality and Tourism -Tourism Authority Head