By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), has successfully concluded its Student Work and Internship for Tourism (SWIFT) programme, celebrating high school and sixth-form students who completed three weeks of intensive hands-on training across the hospitality sector.
The closing ceremony and celebration took place on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Scotty’s Smokehouse and Grill in Georgetown, recognizing the cohort of interns who gained firsthand experience in local tour operations, hotel management, culinary arts, and customer service.
Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Industry
Designed to bridge the divide between secondary academic learning and practical vocational skills, the SWIFT initiative placed students within prominent tourism and hospitality establishments across Guyana.
Interns rotated through various operational roles, including front-of-house guest relations, kitchen assistance, housekeeping management, and guided tour coordination.
- Hands-On Exposure: Interns were embedded directly within partner hotels, travel agencies, and tour operators, receiving operational briefings and mentorship from senior industry professionals.
- Student Perspective: Intern Joseph Gomes, who completed his attachment with Roraima Tours, highlighted how the program deepened his passion for destination marketing:“I gained hands-on experience with the tours and how they operate,” Gomes shared. “Learning about some of the historical sites and sharing that knowledge with visitors who come to experience Guyana has definitely piqued my interest for the future.”
Building a Skilled Workforce for Guyana’s Growing Economy
Speaking at the closing ceremony, THAG President Mitra Ramkumar emphasized that expanding SWIFT is a direct response to Guyana’s rapidly expanding tourism sector, which requires a trained, passionate, and customer-oriented workforce:
“During the period that the interns worked, they were able to see how the industry operates,” THAG President Mitra Ramkumar stated. “The interns experienced the industry from both sides of the coin—seeing firsthand what guests experience and understanding what goes on behind the scenes across managerial, supervisory, and ancillary roles.”
Ramkumar encouraged more students to take advantage of upcoming SWIFT cycles, noting that the exposure not only builds foundational job skills but also fosters a national appreciation for sustainable tourism and world-class hospitality standards.
