Carla James to lead Destination Guyana

Kaieteur Falls with picture of Carla James (Inset)

GEORGETOWN, Guyana -The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA)  has announced the appointment of Deputy Director, Carla James, as Director of the tourism body beginning May 1, 2020.

 She will succeed the current director, Brian T. Mullis, following the conclusion of his two-year contract on April 30, 2020, and becomes the first  indigenous woman to assume the position.

An Akawaio and native of Kamarang Village in the Upper Mazaruni Region, James was unanimously identified as the most suitable candidate at the end of a rigorous four-stage selection process conducted by the Agency’s board of directors.

Carla James

“Ms. James is uniquely qualified to lead Destination Guyana as our new director of tourism,” said Donald Sinclair, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the  GTA.

“In her we have found a leader who is not only professionally well-versed in our destination and industry sector, but someone with tremendous national pride and heritage, both of which are essential components for strengthening our tourism strategy going forward.

“Her ascension to the role of director will also be a tremendous source of inspiration to many young women who now have proof that women of all ethnicities can shatter glass ceilings and go where previously they feared to tread”.

James began her career in 2001 as a research assistant at what was then the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. In 2003, she moved to the GTA and joined the team as a statistics and research officer.

In the following years, she has held the positions of Senior Statistics and Research Officer, Marketing Manager, Logistics Manager and Personal Assistant to the Director of the Authority, and most recently, the Deputy Director of the GTA.

“I am filled with a great sense of pride and accomplishment. It has been an amazing journey of learning, apprenticeship, training and experiences; and I am extremely honoured to take on the role of the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority and serve the place I am so proud to call home,” James said.

“Our work plays a significant role in helping to protect our precious natural landscapes and wildlife and it is a responsibility I do not take lightly. During a time when community is needed most, I look forward to supporting my own by continuing to push Destination Guyana forward alongside our valued industry partners.”

The GTA is a semi-autonomous governmental organisation responsible for developing and promoting sustainable tourism in Guyana.