During the presentation of the 2010 National Budget, the minister said this increase was primarily due to an increase in the number of visits from Guyanese in the diaspora. He said that there “were observable peaks during the traditional months of February, July/August and December.
According to Singh, “despite the relatively weak performance in global and regional tourism, Guyana recorded the highest number of visitor arrivals in any one year in our history.” Singh said Guyana also recorded “the highest rate of growth in visitor arrivals in the Caribbean for the year.”
For this year, the finance minister said, the performance of the tourism sector “is expected to be sustained” and will likely exceed the figures recorded last year. This sector is expected to benefit from the hosting of ICC World Twenty/20 in April/May, the commencement of international flights into Ogle and the opening of the Takutu Bridge, Singh said. Since the opening of this bridge in September, the country has recorded 6,000 vehicular arrivals and over 18,000 passenger arrivals, Singh announced.
“Regulations made at the end of 2008 under the Guyana Tourism Authority Act will be enforced, and greater emphasis placed on the improvement of quality, standards, service, safety and cleanliness in the hospitality industry, with the aim of improving customer satisfaction and overall visitor experience in Guyana”, he said.
According to Singh, “education and sensitization sessions will be held with stakeholders across the country. Tour guides will be trained, operators registered, and inspections and certification conducted as required.”
