3.7 million acres of forest to strengthen Guyana’s sustainable tourism model

Plans to designate approximately 3.7 million acres of pristine forest in Guyana’s Acarai-Rupununi corridor as a permanent conservation area are expected to further strengthen the country’s sustainable tourism and birding potential.

This was underscored by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, who was at the time speaking at the Bird Accreditation Ceremony held recently.

She noted that President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali during the United Nations 30×30 Leaders Event, announced the initiative.

The minister said that the proposed conservation area could effectively double Guyana’s land under permanent conservation and contribute significantly to the country’s commitment to protect 30 percent of its land and waters by 2030.

Minister Rodrigues said the move reinforces the foundation on which Guyana’s tourism product has been built.

“Conservation and tourism are not in competition with each other. Guyana’s tourism product came out of our conservation efforts.. and while the landscape of Guyana continues to change and transform and the skylines with new modern infrastructure, the purpose of our tourism will not change,” Minister Rodrigues stated.

The minister stressed that Guyana is not pursuing mass tourism, but rather a sustainable model that protects the country’s forests, rivers, savannahs and wildlife while creating meaningful experiences for visitors.

Additionally, Minister Rodrigues also highlighted that Guyana is the founder of the Global Biodiversity Alliance and it underpins the country’s interest.

GTA Director, Kamrul Baksh, said the expansion of protected areas will directly support the birding industry by safeguarding pristine habitats, noting that birding is a non-intrusive tourism activity that aligns closely with conservation.

He said the Guyana Tourism Authority will continue developing specialised tourism products and professional guides to help visitors experience the country’s natural assets while strengthening opportunities within the tourism sector. [DPI]