GTA appoints new Deputy Director

Kamrul Baksh, the current Manager of Product Development within the Travel Industry Development Division (TIDD) of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), has been appointed as Deputy Director and will assume official duty from December 1, 2020.

Mr Baksh has six years of experience within the tourism industry and was unanimously identified out of 38 applicants as the most suitable candidate at the end of a rigorous three-stage selection process managed by the Board of Directors.

In his capacity as Deputy Director, he will bring to the job a wealth of knowledge that his years of experience, on the job training and educational background has afforded him.

As the youngest to ever assume this role within the GTA, Mr Baksh’s disposition truly belies his age. When asked about how he feels about his new appointment, he had the following to say: “I’m honoured and delighted to be selected as the new Deputy Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority. As a career tourism practitioner, I have played various roles within the multidisciplinary industry that will assist me in the discharge of my functions in this new position.

“Having been integral to the development of new tourism products, ensuring their compliance with standards and continuously improving the capacity of tourism workers, I’m well-positioned to oversee the growth of these areas and others within the next few years.

“Cognizant, that this time brings with it, a new wave of challenges never experienced before in the industry, a top priority is ensuring that the industry is in a state of preparedness for travel, upon resumption. The tourism industry will undergo changes but given its resilience, it will rise up and take on the opportunities that await, as Guyana embarks on a period of transformative growth.

“I look forward to continuing partnering with all tourism stakeholders, private sector, communities, governmental and non-governmental agencies, as we collectively navigate through the on-going pandemic and craft a sustainable future for tourism in Destination Guyana.”

As Deputy Director, Mr Baksh will have lead responsibility for industry training, licensing, operations and finance, and will support product development and donor development.

Mr Baksh holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Bedfordshire and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Tourism and Hospitality with the University of the West Indies – Cavehill.