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With 15 days left before the grand opening of Carifesta X, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce in collaboration with Guyana Tourism Authority yesterday hosted a free refresher training programme for housekeepers within local hotels.Training courses are also being conducted in the areas of taxi services,Linus Wahlqvist Sweden Jersey, customer care and front desk management.The training of these personnel is being conducted at the Carnegie School of Economics with 66 participants in yesterday’s training session.Speaking at the opening ceremony of the week-long training activity,Hector Herrera Mexico Jersey, Minister of Tourism,Customized Uruguay Jersey, Manniram Prashad,Julio Dominguez Mexico Jersey, said that while Guyana started late in developing the tourism industry, the country has more to offer tourists in terms of nature and adventure tourism. Guyana, he pointed out,Jose de Jesus Corona Mexico Jersey, has to invest more in marketing in order to promote the sector.He added that it is persons like housekeepers, customer care representatives, taxi services and front desk personnel who create impressions on tourists.The Minister urged the persons present at the session yesterday to greet tourists with a smile,Jacob Rinne Sweden Jersey, pointing out that it is the way they talk to people that will have a lasting impression on them. Attitude also plays an important role in the sector,Marcelo Diaz Chile Jersey, Prashad said.He applauded the large turn out for the training session, stating that just a few weeks ago there was a tour guide training course at the Ocean View, where he was impressed at the number of young people who invested in themselves in order to be at the session.“I was very impressed that they of their own,Yasser Corona Mexico Jersey, not sponsored by any hotel or tour operators…wanted to improve themselves…they wanted to learn more about tourism and the industry and they invested in themselves…when I saw that commitment I knew that we are going somewhere.”The trainers at yesterday’s session were Norman Washington, former principal of Carnegie School of Economics,Melker Hallberg Sweden Jersey, and Timeka Sukdeo-Singh, a lecturer at the Tourism and Hospitality department at the University of Guyana.Each session will be within a four hour period lasting one week. The session for taxi drivers will be conducted today at the Sophia Exhibition Site. |
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