Over the next few years, key areas of the Pegasus Hotel interior will take on a new look as its US$3 million upgrade unfolds.
Businessman Robert Badal, who leads the team of investors that recently acquired the renowned property, said on Monday night that massive upgrading works will be conducted over the next few years, including the redecorating and remodeling of key facilities. He also announced a special rate of US$100 a night for locals wishing to experience the ambience of the Pegasus.
Speaking at a cocktail reception at the Savannah Suite of the hotel, Badal said that the US$3 million upgrading process will see a variety of changes to sections of the hotel. These include the remodelling of the rooms on the circular tower, the introduction of ultra-fast satellite internet services, as well as the addition of indoor and outdoor sport facilities to incorporate the existing poolside. The reception area as well as the famous Browne’s Café is also expected to be completely remodelled. Badal told the gathering that the upgraded rooms will contain replicas of famous historical and cultural sites of Guyana. He said a team of competent and experienced consultants has already been hired to undertake the upgrading process.
Badal said visitors have been forecasted to increase over the next decade as Guyana is quickly becoming an international alternative to traditional Caribbean tourist destinations, with her rich cultural and historical heritage including exotic sites such as breathtaking mountains, rivers and the famous Kaieteur Falls. He said that while ownership has changed, the new management team will continue to build on the reputation the hotel has achieved over the years.
Badal expressed confidence that the Pegasus will continue to headline Guyana’s hotel industry. He recounted various aspects of business he has entered over the years including the rice industry with the Angel Parboiled Rice brand which is sold overseas only, fast-food outlet Popeye’s as well as the Guyana Stockfeeds and he noted that his investment in the hotel will ensure meaningful job creation for youths.
Businessman Yesu Persaud, speaking at the function, lauded Badal for his investment in the hotel. He said Badal has been known for trying new aspects of business. He expressed hope that the hotel industry will create new jobs for Guyanese as he noted that many youths with university qualifications are currently unemployed.
Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad told the gathering that he was pleased that the hotel is now owned by Guyanese. He said in that Barbados, a country which has been “giving Guyanese problems recently”, 95% of the hotels are foreign owned. He said this country’s hotels are almost 100% Guyanese owned. Prashad said this shows Guyanese are confident in investing in their country. He recalled that over the years calls had been made to the Pegasus Hotel to introduce special weekend packages for locals.
Prashad said eco-tourism in Guyana is headed in a positive direction, pointing out that rooms at interior tourist locations such as Surama in the Essequibo River are booked until 2010. He said since he was appointed a government minister, he always admired Costa Rica and Belize as excellent tourist destinations and had hoped the time would come when tourists would add Guyana to that list.
He noted that most of the tourists visiting these shores are Europeans who have been following this country’s 800 species of birds. He said birding has been creating waves on the international scene and noted that Guyana is rated next to Peru as an international birding destination.
Meanwhile, starting this weekend, the Pegasus Hotel will introduce a special rate of US$100 per night for Guyanese to experience the luxuries of the hotel. The hotel management team also plans to introduce special weekend events in the coming months as part of its upgrading process.
The Pegasus Hotel was built in 1969 by the British Overseas Airways Corporation and changed ownership several times operating under several brands such as Le Meridien and recently Lehwood Netherlands Holdings.
The hotel has accommodated a number of famous international personalities in the past including cricket star Brian Lara, visiting cricketing teams during World Cup 2007, Sir Shridath Ramphal and Queen Elizabeth 11 on her visit to these shores in 1994.
