From the roots to the sky; Guyana appoints first female Indigenous tourism director

BY JANIECE CAMPBELL

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has announced their newly appointed Deputy Director, Carla James. Beginning on May 1^st, 2020, James succeeded the previous director Brian T. Mullis following the conclusion of his two-year contract at the end of April. This appointment marks a pivotal moment in the GTA’s eighteen-year history, as she becomes the first Indigenous woman to assume the role.

Carla James is a proud Akawaio and native of Kamarang Village, a remote community in the Upper Mazaruni region. With an estimated population of about 6,000, the Akawaio people are also present in Brazil and Venezuela. In their native language which shares the name of their ethnic group, they refer to themselves as “Kapon” which translates to “people of the sky.”

James was unanimously identified as the superior and most suitable candidate at the end of a thorough four-stage selection process.

“Ms. James is uniquely qualified to lead Destination Guyana as our new director of tourism,” said Donald Sinclair, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Tourism Authority. “In her we have found a leader who is not only professionally well-versed in our destination and industry sector, but someone with tremendous national pride and heritage, both of which are essential components for strengthening our tourism strategy going forward. Her ascension to the role of director will also be a tremendous source of inspiration to many young women who now have proof that women of all ethnicities can shatter glass ceilings and go where previously they feared to tread.”

As she settles into her hard-earned position, it’s important to note that Carla James has an extensive resume including managerial and industry experience. With an outstanding track record spanning over nineteen years in institutional strengthening, destination planning, marketing and management, it’s clear that this new role was well-deserved.  With an educational background in Computer Science, James began her professional career in 2001 as a research assistant at what was previously known as the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. In 2003, she made the move to the Guyana Tourism Authority and joined the team as a statistics and research officer. In the following years, she continued to climb the vine and has held multiple positions such as Senior Statistics and Research Officer, Marketing Manager, Logistics Manager and Personal Assistant to the Director of the Authority. Today, she has finally reached the top!

“I am filled with a great sense of pride and accomplishment. It has been an amazing journey of learning, apprenticeship, training and experiences; and I am extremely honoured to take on the role of the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority and serve the place I am so proud to call home,” said James. “Our work plays a significant role in helping to protect our precious natural landscapes and wildlife and it is a responsibility I do not take lightly. During a time when community is needed most, I look forward to supporting my own by continuing to push Destination Guyana forward alongside our valued industry partners.”

As the second largest export sector after gold, tourism in Guyana is an essential part of maintaining economic balance for the nation. According to the GTA, it is estimated that travel and tourism in Guyana is responsible for upwards of $250 million USD in profit. In 2019, Guyana gained worldwide recognition within the tourism industry for its strong leadership in sustainable destination management and development. The country was voted number one in both the categories of “Best of Ecotourism” in the Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards by ITB Berlin and “Best in Sustainable Tourism” at the LATA Achievement Awards.

Despite the challenges ahead to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, the Guyana Tourism Authority remains optimistic that this foundation of interest in Guyana will prevail as travellers seek out more sustainable and enriching ways to explore the world later into 2020 and well beyond.

“For the next several weeks, GTA will be focusing on helping the sector during this difficult period preparing for recovery. Our team will continue to invest and build capacity so that we can be strong support for our stakeholders,” said James.