LocationsTourism and Hospitality training programme launched to boost sustainable development in Upper Suriname, at Pokigron, Brokopondo
August 25, 2025
The official launch of the tourism and hospitality training program is a fact. A total of 150 participants will be trained in the interior of Suriname.
On 20 August 2025 a new training initiative aimed at strengthening local capacity in sustainable tourism, hospitality, food production, and support for local lodges has officially launched in Upper Suriname. The program, part of the Amazon Sustainable Landscape (ASL) 2 project, is being implemented 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). The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is supporting this training. The training covers a wide range of modules including First Aid, Leisure & Resort, Front Office, Customer Care, Marketing & Tourism Awareness, Agroforestry, Banana Fiber, Tour Guiding, Kitchen Assistant, and Housekeeping. A total of 150 participants from the region have enrolled.
One of the participants, Sampie Wee Wee, a teacher from Pokigron, expressed her enthusiasm: “This training is very valuable. I hope it won’t be the first or the last in our region. Often, attention is focused on the coastal areas, so I’m very pleased that this initiative is happening here. The fact that the partners traveled all the way from the city to support us is heartwarming.”
Sampie, Wee Wee one of the participants.
Mrs. Wee Wee has enrolled in the Front Office module and is considering a career shift into the tourism and hospitality sector. Tourism in Suriname is on the rise, with growing emphasis on sustainable development and local entrepreneurship. The country’s rich biodiversity, pristine forest and life-giving rivers, and cultural heritage are attracting increasing numbers of international visitors. Ecotourism, in particular, is gaining momentum as communities seek to balance environmental preservation with economic opportunity.
Hendrik Fonkie, expresses hope that the participants will approach the training seriously and do their utmost to ensure its successful completion.
Sector veteran Hendrik Fonkie praised the initiative, highlighting the pristine condition of the upper Suriname River and its potential as a tourist attraction. “Every participant will benefit from this training. It will enhance their well-being and prosperity, as businesses in the sector will seek out individuals with specialized knowledge. My message is: give it your all. The time you invest will pay off. If not now, then certainly in the future.”
“Tourism is a driver of our economy, but it must be balanced with our responsibilities toward the environment and local communities.”
According to Nazara Kranenburg, Acting Director of SHTTC, the program aims to: Strengthen local knowledge and skills; Professionalize service delivery in tourism; Create sustainable prospects for interior communities.
(L) Patricia Kajoeramarie, representing the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management. (R)Nazara Kranenburg, Acting Director of the Suriname Hospitality and Tourism Training Center (SHTTC).
“We are not just investing in training. We are investing in people. You, the participants, will become ambassadors of this region and play a vital role in developing tourism in a way that reflects your culture, values, and environment,” Kranenburg said.
Representing the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management, Patricia Kajoeramarie emphasized that sustainable tourism is not just a buzzword but a necessity. “It allows us to preserve our natural and cultural heritage for future generations while creating economic opportunities for local communities. These trainings foster not only knowledge and skills but also a culture of collaboration and innovation.”
(M) Ruben Martoredjo, Programme Analyst for Social Development and SDG Integration, emphasized that the project lays the foundation for resilient, community-driven economies rooted in sustainability and cultural pride.
Speaking on behalf of UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Berdi Berdiyev, Ruben Martoredjo, Programme Analyst for Social Development and SDG Integration, concluded that the ASL2 project harnesses Suriname’s exceptional natural and cultural wealth by advancing community-inclusive ecotourism initiatives. In doing so, it links sustainable livelihoods with conservation, ensuring that local communities not only benefit from tourism but also actively safeguard their unique heritage. ASL2 thus fosters a new development model where nature, culture, and prosperity reinforce one another. He stated that “UNDP is proud to walk this path with you and let us seize this moment to transform the potential of tourism into lasting prosperity and conservation”.