By the Caribbean Journal staff

As more and more countries in a tourism-dependent region make the push to restore their agriculture industries, exploring linkages between agriculture and tourism is a “natural fit,” according to Guyana Tourism Authority Director Indranauth Haralsingh.

The Director, who was speaking at a seminar during the Caribbean Week of Agriculture this week in Guyana, said agro-tourism had the capacity to create “additional sources of income and employment, as well as the ability diversify the tourism product and experience.”

“The Caribbean being the most tourist dependent region in the world and whose food importation bill is steadily rising needs to produce more food locally and also to import from within the region,” he said. “A tourist will consume at least three meals per day among other activities and there is a great opportunity and need for a food tourism strategy for the region.”

He said that agro-tourism had to strike the balance between satisfying the needs of visitors and food production.

“Global trends in dining and culinary experience, nutrition, health and wellness, climate change and green economies etc are fueling growth in agro-tourism,” he said. “Increasingly tourists are seeking genuine experiences linked to local foods, culture and heritage and are willing to pay a premium price. This is a great opportunity for us in the Caribbean.”