A total of 151 participants from Indigenous and Tribal communities in Upper Suriname received certificates during the closing ceremony of a one-month training program in Tourism and Hospitality. Held in Atjoni, at the Sipaliwini Interior district, the event marked a significant milestone in community empowerment and sustainable development in Suriname’s interior. 

The training was implemented under the Amazon Sustainable Landscapes (ASL) Phase 2 project by the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and executed by the Suriname Hospitality and Tourism Training Center (SHTTC). Financial support was provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). 

The program was tailored to the specific needs of local communities and focused on building capacity in sustainable tourism, hospitality, food production, and support for local lodges. Courses included Customer Care, Marketing, Tourism Awareness, and Kitchen Assistance. 

Acting Director of SHTTC, Nazara Kranenburg, praised the strong interest in the training. “This is an important signal,” she said. “It shows that the community understands tourism is not just another sector, it is a powerful engine for economic growth, employment, and cultural pride.” 

Kranenburg proposed organizing a culinary festival featuring traditional Samaaka dishes, emphasizing that local cuisine tells a story and could become a valuable tourism product. She also called for a follow-up phase to deepen the impact of the training. “Only through continuity can we achieve lasting, sustainable change for the people here,” she added. 

Speaking on behalf of UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Berdi Berdiyev, Programme Analyst Ruben Martoredjo emphasized that tourism is a pathway to broader community development. “The goal of ASL Phase 2 is not tourism itself, but nature conservation,” he stated. “However, this can only be achieved when communities living near protected areas are actively involved and can see tangible benefits, not just for their environment, but for their personal and community development.” 

Martoredjo also noted that UNDP Suriname is working to initiate the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund funded project, which will create further opportunities for community-based development while protecting biodiversity. 

Minister of Land Policy and Forest Management, Stanley Soeropawiro, reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Suriname’s natural resources and cultural heritage while ensuring prosperity reaches everyone. “This training is an investment in the participants and their future,” he said, encouraging graduates to continue building on the knowledge and skills they have gained. 

Other notable attendees included Maikel Noordzee, focal point for tourism at the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism; Humphrey Jeroe, District Commissioner of Upper Suriname; and Ushadevi Balesar, Chair of the Board of SHTTC. 

Through a climate-compatible development approach, Suriname aims to establish advanced capacities, policies, and institutional frameworks that engage active citizens in adaptive and agile production systems. Inclusive and sustainable solutions will be adopted for the conservation, restoration, and use of ecosystems and natural resources.