16 birding guides certified after two-month training
A TWO-MONTH preliminary birding programme which was supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaftfür InternationaleZusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH , also referred to as the German Agency for International Cooperation and the Caribbean Public Health Agency ( CARPHA) recently concluded with the certification of sixteen members from the coastal communities of Victoria, Belfield, Hope Beach and Greenfield.
According to a press release, the programme was endorsed by the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and was also supported by both the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG).
The training was provided by Iwokrama which utilized its wide range of skilled trainers, such as professional birding guides, tour operations and leadership trainers, to ensure delivery of a well rounded package of skills to the trainees.
HOPE BEACH BIRDING SITE
As the focus was on coastal birding in mangrove ecosystems, the field training was conducted at Hope Beach which was identified as a national birding site and Felicity, one of the sites that benefited from mangrove restoration efforts. Classroom sessions consisted of various elements of tourism such as tour guiding techniques and communication and leadership skills.
A round table session by representatives from Wilderness Explorers, Shell Beach Adventures and Tarantula Tours exposed the trainees to a wide range of industry issues such as itinerary development, dealing with challenging clients and ensuring client satisfaction.
Wilderness Explorers provided sterling support as not only did it provide the group with additional equipment and books at the beginning of the course but it also afforded one of the trainees with a trip to Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls during the training. Additionally, three trainees benefitted by receiving internships upon completion.
At the end of the course, five of the participants were selected to visit the Iwokrama Field Station and Canopy Walkway, as well as Surama Eco Lodge where they gave presentations on the mangrove restoration project and their fledgling mangrove reserve horse-cart tour.
At Surama Eco Lodge not only did they witness first-hand the ingredients contributing to what is considered Guyana’s premier community-owned and managed ecotourism product, but they were also exposed to the cultural aspects of Surama’s tourism package.
Presentations by Guyana’s vibrant indigenous Makushi dance and music groups provided the visitors with a sterling example of how they could enhance their birding tours by expanding on elements of the rich natural heritage existing in their coastal communities.
Local programme coordinator Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins expressed deep gratitude to GIZ whose invaluable support enabled the achievement such as the creation of a cadre of local tour guides, equipped with preliminary birding skills, to support the development of birding tours at Hope Beach.
The follow-up would entail the participants putting this training to use by offering complimentary birding tours which will commence at 6.00am at Hope Beach during the last two Saturday’s in December 2014, the release added.
Original source: http://guyanachronicle.com/16-birding-guides-certified-after-two-month-training/
