The CI-Guyana Tourism Portfolio Leveraging Tourism for PA Development Dianna Darsney 2 nd Global Tourism Workshop September 5 – 12, 2006 Costa Rica

The Context: CI-Guyana Masakenari UECC Kanuku Mountains  Geographic foci: Three main HBWAs where CIG works –Kanuku Mountains –Upper Essequibo Conservation Concession –Masakenari  Tourism as an underdeveloped sector in Guyana …  …But there is interest.

Rewa Community Eco-lodge  Ecolodge constructed as part of VCIF  Lodge facilities include three traditional benabs, as well as bathroom and kitchen facilities, and common meeting areas  Functional community management committee/leadership oversight Challenges: product development; capacity building; marketing Next Steps: photovoltaic system; refrigeration; landscaping; business training

Kanuku Mountains  1.2 million acres; home to 18 Amerindian communities; provides habitat for 70% of all mammals and 53% of all birds known to exist in Guyana.  Proposed PA site; CI-Guyana appointed as lead agency  ‘Small Grants’ program providing funding for enterprise development Challenges: diversification; large scale advisory service and technical assistance; leveraging tourism for PA development and support

Masakenari: Wai Wai COCA  196 individuals holding absolute title to 1.5 million acres of pristine rainforest  Decision to manage land as a community-owned conservation area (COCA); management plan in development  High level of interest in tourism development Challenges: expectations management; dealing with remoteness; identifying alternative options to finance the COCA.