The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) acknowledges the importance of investing in training and capacity building to raise the quality of service in Destination Guyana. As part of its mandate, the Guyana Tourism Authority administers and facilitates training programmes for the Tourism Industry professionals. Training can be general for the Sector or specific depending on the needs of the Industry.

Training

For more information regarding these programmes, kindly contact the Travel Industry Development Division at the Guyana Tourism Authority.

• Training Offerings and Schedule
  For effective and positive travel experience for visitors, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) provides key areas of training which are geared towards enhancement of skills, communication, storytelling, service and ensuring the dissemination of accurate information about Guyana’s natural wonders, cultures, wildlife and most importantly, our history. Training areas include:
  • Customer Service/Hospitality/Visitors Welcome
  • Hotel Management
  • Restaurant Service
  • Basic CPR and First Aid safety
  • Adventure Travel Standard Guide
  •  Social Media Marketing
  • Business and Financial Management
  • Advance Tour Guiding
• Online Training Resources
  • Travel Foundation: Sustainable Tourism Online Training Course
  • View: A Guide to Tourism Careers, Education and Training in the Caribbean (pdf) Caribbean Tourism Organisation Resources
• Other Resources
  • Organization of American States Education Portal of the Americas
  • TrainingAid:
    • Key Factors in Successful Community Tourism Product Development (recorded live session)
    • Social Media Marketing for Tourism Businesses: Getting Started
      Licensing

The Guyana Tourism Authority Regulations of 2008, requires all tourism businesses, namely Accommodation Establishments, Tour Operators, Tourist Guides, and Interior Lodges and Resorts to have a Guyana Tourism Authority License, failure which may result in a penalty by the Authority for non-compliance with the associated regulations. The licensing of tourism businesses and guides ensures that said operations are certified to operate under the Laws of Guyana.

• Visit the links below for copies of the regulations:

1. Tourism Accommodation Establishments (Regulations 16 of 2008): is referred to as hotels, apartments, guest houses and inns
2. Tour Operators (Regulations 17 of 2008): a tour operator is an individual or company that provides a range of tour services for the international or domestic tourism markets.
3. Tourist Guides (Regulations 18 of 2008): is a person who provides assistance, information on cultural, historical and contemporary heritage to people on organized tours.
4. Interior Lodges & Resorts (Regulations 19 of 2008): Lodges in the context of the regulation is referred to a small rustic, overnight accommodation found in the wilderness or remote areas and also cater for meeting and dining facilities for visitors.

Contact the Travel Industry Development Division for business support services to get in compliance with the regulations to get licensed.

• The Licensing Process
  This section describes the process of applying for and obtaining a Guyana Tourism Authority License to operate a tourism business.

1. Submit application form with payment for application fee (GY$2,000)
2. Submit required documentation and certificates of conformity as set out by the regulations
3. Within 14 working days of application, an inspection of property/operation will be conducted
4. Should you not meet the requirements; a period for corrective action will be granted and a reinspection will follow.
5. Should you meet the requirements, pay relevant licence fee and a licence will be issued within 7 working days after receipt of payment.
6. GTA Act Section 32 (3) states that “Any person who operates a tourism business without a licence is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one million six hundred thousand dollars and, a further fine of eighty thousand dollars for each day on which the offence continues after conviction”.
7. The GTA may refuse to issue a licence or may revoke a license, if any tourism business is not in compliance with the provision of the Act of any regulation.

Tourism Accommodation Establishments

­­­­­­­­

• Requirements

1. Completed Tourism Accommodation Establishment Licence application form.
2. Payment of application fee GYD 2,000
3. In case of companies, a copy of its Memorandum or Articles of Association and certificate of registration.
4. Certificates of conformity from the relevant agencies [No. 4(2) of the regulation]:
   1. Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) or relevant authorised statutory regional or local authority on behalf of the CH&PA
   2. Guyana Fire Service
   3. Chief Environmental Health Officer
   4. Environmental Protection Agency (Excluding properties with 10 rooms* or less)
   5. National Insurance Scheme
   6. Guyana Revenue Authority

*Rooms are referred to as bedrooms, kitchen, office space and other rooms

1. Payment of Licence fee based on the number of rooms as per table below:

To get started with your application process, kindly click here to download the Tourism Accommodation Establishment Licence application form.

Tour Operators

• Requirements

1. Completed Tour Operators Licence Application Form.
2. Payment of application fee GYD 2,000
3. Copy of business registration under the Laws of Guyana
4. In case of a company, a copy of its  Memorandum or Articles of Association and certificate of registration.
5. Description of the nature and categories of tours and tour packages offered
6. Detailed list of equipment used to carry  out  tours
7. Copies of boat and vehicles registration and valid insurance certificates
8. Copy of Public Liability Insurance
9. Copy of the Standard Operational Procedures, including an emergency plan
10. Payment of Licence fee GYD 25,000

To get started with your application process, kindly click here to download the Tour Operators Licence Application Form

Tourist Guides

• Requirements

1. Completed Tourist Guide Licence Application Form
2. Payment of application fee GYD 2,000
3. Proof of tour guides training & qualifications
4. Copies of all academic, tour guides and first aid training certificates and any other professional certificates.
5. Professional details, including a work history reference from a recognised tour operator or higher recognised and credible individual.
6. Description of the nature and type of services offered
7. Valid police clearance or a character testimony from a recognised personnel
8. Medical certificate from a Government Medical Officer (GMO)
9. Two references
10. Payment of Licence fee GYD 10,000 (Biennial)

To get started with your application process, kindly click here to download the Tourist Guide Licence Application Form.

Interior Lodges & Resorts

• Requirements

1. Completed Lodges & Resorts Licence application form
2. Payment of application  fee GYD 2,000
3. Copy of the business registration
4. In case of companies, a copy of its Memorandum or Articles of Association and certificate of registration
5. Certificates of conformity from relevant agencies [No. 4(1) in the regulation]
   1. Environmental Protection Agency (Excluding properties with 10 rooms* or less)
   2. Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) or relevant authorised statutory regional or local authority on behalf of the CH&PA
   3. Guyana Fire Service

*Rooms are referred to as bedrooms, kitchen, office space and other rooms

1. Proof of land ownership
2. Licence fee depending on the table below:

To get started with your application process, kindly click here to download the Lodges & Resorts Licence application form