EMC Supports the Strengthening of Indigenous Leadership Through Sustainable Tourism Capacity Building
From August 5 to 7, 2025, twelve community leaders from the Indigenous communities of Mashabo, Tapakuma Lake, Lake Mainstay, and Santa Mission, alongside three staff members from the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), completed the Building Indigenous Leadership Capacity for Sustainable Tourism Development training programme held at Cara Lodge, Georgetown.
Organised by Environmental Management Consultants (EMC) in collaboration with the GTA, this three-day programme aimed to strengthen the leadership skills of village leaders, tourism operators, and emerging community influencers. The initiative focused on advancing community-based tourism and promoting sustainable development across Guyana.
Participants engaged in a comprehensive and dynamic curriculum covering practical and leadership-oriented topics essential for effective, sustainable tourism development. Key areas of focus included leadership principles and best practices for community-based tourism, effective communication and stakeholder engagement strategies, team coordination for tourism operations, problem-solving and decision-making in tourism development, conflict resolution and negotiation techniques, as well as visitor experience management and customer service excellence.
Facilitated by Ms. Camille Ishmael, the training employed a participatory approach, incorporating interactive lectures, role-playing exercises, case studies, and scenario-based exercises. This hands-on methodology allowed participants to directly apply learnings to real-world tourism challenges faced within their communities.
To support continued growth beyond the sessions, each participant received a comprehensive resource package containing official manuals, handouts, and additional reference materials.
The programme concluded with a certification ceremony and featured remarks from Shyam Nokta, Managing Director at EMC, and Kamrul Baksh, Director at GTA. They encouraged the leaders to utilise their new skills to strengthen tourism offerings in their villages and contribute to Guyana’s expanding sustainable tourism sector. The speakers also highlighted the importance of leadership, planning, and capacity building, and acknowledged tourism as a key low-carbon sector in line with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
This initiative forms part of the Guyana Conservation Initiative (GCI), implemented by Environmental Management Consultants Inc. (EMC) and the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, with funding from the ExxonMobil Foundation.
Through the GCI, EMC continues to advance its dedication to sustainable development, capacity building, and empowering Indigenous communities across Guyana. The programme recognises that effective leadership, grounded in trust, credibility, and a balance between tradition and innovation, is vital to the country’s sustainable development aspirations.
Kamrul Baksh, Director of GTA, Provides Brief Remarks
Shyam Nokta, Managing Director of EMC, Provides Brief Remarks
Camille Ishmael, Training Facilitator, Provides Brief Remarks
Key Moments From the Training Session
Key Moments From the Training Session
Participants Receiving their Certificates
Environmental Management Consultants Inc. (EMC) is an environmental service provider and promoter of green growth. EMC works to support efforts aimed at the protection and sustainable management of Guyana’s environment