APNU+AFC dissolves Tourism Ministry; “serious backward step”- says stakeholder

Consequent to the appointment of Cathy Hughes as Minister of Public Telecommunications, the APNU+AFC has taken a decision to dissolve Guyana’s Ministry of Tourism and have its functions usurped by the new Telecommunications Ministry.

According to a release from the Department of Public Information, cabinet took the decision to make the switch.

The switch comes along with the transfer and reappointment of several other Ministers including Keith Scott who is now Junior Social Protection Minister, Valerie Patterson as Junior Communities Minister and Simona Broomes as Junior Natural Resources Minister.

A stakeholder in the Tourism sector was speechless on hearing of the move to dissolve the Ministry only managing to say “wow.”

Captain Gerry Gouveia later added that it was a retrogade step and does not augur well for the industry in Guyana.

“I dont understand the rationale…it is a serious backward steo,” said Gouveia.

When contacted the Director of Public Information, Imran Khan, told Demerara Waves that the tourism portfolio has not been removed. “He said it has just been adjusted and now comes within the Ministry of Public Telecommunications.”

” All her responsibilities relating to tourism remain within her portfolio and Minister Hughes will continue to lead Guyana’s tourism sector as we seek to position Guyana as one of the regions leading eco-tourism and nature tourism destinations. In effect, in addition to the tourism portfolio Minister Hughes now has additional responsibilities for telecommunications and ICT,” said Khan.