Guyana accredits 19 professionals in new birding tourism program

Guyana has accredited 19 tourism professionals through its inaugural Bird Guide Accreditation Programme, a move designed to bolster the nation’s specialized birding tourism sector. The initiative was launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce in partnership with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS).

Of the newly recognized professionals, 12 completed the first phase of the Coastal Bird Guide Certification, while seven guides based in the Rupununi region received local bird guide accreditation. The program aims to distinguish specialized experts within the existing licensing framework to better serve the country’s niche tourism market.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues emphasized that the program links professional capacity building with conservation. With over 800 identified bird species in the country, the government intends to focus on a sustainable tourism model rather than mass tourism, using these specialized guides to help visitors understand Guyana’s diverse habitats and natural heritage.