| It seemed too good to be true—a reality show to market Guyana’s tourism at far less than usual.Now,Marlon Humphrey Jersey, Government has distanced itself from an overseas-based producer who it says collected monies from local businesses but failed to deliver on a 50-episode show aimed at improving Guyana’s tourism profile.According to the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) on Wednesday, it does not have a business relation with TAGG TV and its producer, Chris Bassoo.Dropped: Chris Bassoo“Mr. Bassoo arrived in Guyana last year and proposed that TAGG TV produce a 50-episode show which would present Guyana as a tourism destination worldwide,China Jerseys Cheap, and which would have showcased various businesses for a sponsorship fee.”The Ministry and GTA said that over the last few weeks, it has been receiving numerous complaints from local businesses that would have paid their fees and have yet to see a production from TAGG TV.“While the Ministry initially endorsed this initiative, based on the premise that it formed part of an aggressive tourism plan seeking to put Guyana ahead of the Caribbean,NFL Jerseys From China, utilizing the reach of Facebook, it has become evident that Mr. Bassoo has failed to deliver on his obligations to those who have paid their fees and to the Guyana Government who offered logistical support.”The Tourism Ministry insisted that it does not have any relationship with Bassoo, 41, or TAGG TV and “further,NFL Jerseys Cheap China, we have made no financial commitment to TAGG TV or its Producer. We wish to encourage businesses that have made payments and have not yet seen a production from TAGG TV to make urgent contact with the Guyana Tourism Authority.”Bassoo, according to local news reports, was going to use the videos of local dining, shopping and holidaying in Guyana and post these on the popular website, Facebook. His concept was that it would be shared and the more shares or tags, the more successful would be the venture in marketing Guyana.Bassoo even went so far as to have a 20-member crew, including Miss Canada 2012, Jaclyn Miles, accompanying him to visit Guyana,Throwback Jerseys, and meeting with Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali. Many of them including, Miles, are reportedly unpaid.Each of the participating local businesses were reportedly promised a copy of the video with packages include a “Platinum” one for US$3,000 and a “Gold” for US$1500.The package promised that Miss Canada would visit the participating entity, which will be profiled on TAGG TV Reality Show along with a press release naming businesses as sponsors; and rolling credit at the end of each of the 36 episodes.Bassoo and his production team actually managed to finish a few episodes including featuring the Princess Hotel swimming pool, the 1763 monument commemorating the Berbice slave uprising, a longtime jewelry store in historic Stabroek Market and some of Georgetown’s night life.It may have all fallen apart last Friday when an article headlined “Tripped up in the Tropics” targeting Bassoo and his scheme, hit the London Free Press last FridayAccording to the article, investigating the TAGG TV project, not only were the videos not produced, but employees, including Miss India remain unpaid. Bassoo also reportedly owed thousands to banks in London.The Free Press said it tried repeatedly to reach Bassoo through Facebook, Twitter, e-mail and phone. Late Thursday, he replied. “While there are some accounts outstanding, partial payments and some full payments have been made.“And communication has been made, to the best of my ability, to keep my clients and ex staff/consultants (sic) informed regarding developments in this regard,” the e-mail said.The report said that Bassoo was in financial trouble and with Miss Canada as his hook, he had success when he came to Guyana.After meeting with government officials, there was acrimony in the crew after time dragged by and no work or money was coming. Bassoo allegedly made several promises.According the Free Press report, crew members were allegedly given documents to sign — a confidentiality agreement Bassoo had drafted — and an IOU. Miss Canada said she got about half her money and two others on the crew — a production assistant and a host — were paid in full after confronting Bassoo.One Guyanese crew member, Rupesh Singh, is quoted in the article as saying that he and wife,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, who operate an independent TV production firm, weren’t paid. Watkins said most of the Guyanese members went without promised wages.And the work began to take on a different tone — the videos were more of a vanity project than about Guyana. Most showcased Bassoo’s workout regimen in the gym. On New Year’s Eve, a video was shot of Bassoo out at 13 different Georgetown bars, usually dancing by himself. The last video, the 26th, was posted March 13. It featured Bassoo’s gym workout, a woman singing with kids, Bassoo getting a pedicure at his mother’s salon, and a jog in run-down areas of Georgetown. The final shots are of Bassoo in a hair net at a Georgetown bakery. There’s no sign of the bakery owner.By February, Watkins said, Bassoo told her he’d met a businessperson who promised he’d buy 50 Tagg TV episodes. Bassoo contacted all his staff and said the money was on its way. It never showed up.Bassoo himself has been involved in a number of schemes, including insurance selling, banking and some other not so nice reports. |
