By noon yesterday, hotels had confirmed bookings for over 150 guests attending the 19th Summit of the Rio Group today and tomorrow.
Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel, Grand Coastal Inn at Le Ressouvenir, Buddy’s International Hotel at Providence and Cara Lodge at Quamina Street all had confirmed bookings for guests.
Stabroek News was unable to ascertain from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the number of delegates attending the summit from the various countries, and even the press offices of some delegations could not confirm the exact numbers coming.
The Press Office of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Relations, operating from the Business Bureau at Pegasus, confirmed that President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva was expected today along with the Brazilian Foreign Minister and a few top advisors. It could not say how many, but it was noted that two or three members of the delegation were already here, including the undersecretary for South American Affairs (Foreign Office).
Since Tuesday some 20 persons who are not part of the official Brazilian delegation, but who include security, press and protocol personnel; along with one of the Brazilian president’s doctors had arrived here. This newspaper was told that this was routine for presidential visits.
A Le Meridien representative said yesterday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had indicated to the hotel since December last year that rooms might be required for the summit. However, the assignment to the hotel was just recently confirmed.
The official delegations of Brazil, Chile and Venezuela will stay at Le Meridien and each delegation has confirmed bookings for 20-25 rooms.
Officials at Cara Lodge declined to confirm the number of delegates booked at the hotel, referring this newspaper instead to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Stabroek News understands from the ministry that Guyana’s overseas-based ambassadors including those from the United States and Venezuela are staying at Cara Lodge.
The management of Grand Coastal Inn said it had some 34 bookings, which came through the Foreign Affairs Ministry. This newspaper was told that the press and photographers from Mexico and Trinidad were staying at this hotel and some 34 rooms had been booked. Grand Coastal recently upgraded its facilities.
A visit to the newly constructed 250-room Buddy’s International Hotel revealed a lobby buzzing with summit delegates.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed yesterday that delegates from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Uruguay, Nicara-gua, Honduras and others will be staying at Buddy’s.
A hotel representative yesterday was not able to give a breakdown of the guests booked for the summit, but this newspaper was told that 49 delegates so far have confirmed bookings and additional guests were expected.