Proprietor of Jac’s Bakery and Restaurant, Stan Smith, said there is nothing to attract tourists to Linden and other than landmarks like the water wheel built in 1855 and mined-out bauxite areas suitable for eco-tours, he has not seen an influx of visitors that would attest to the community experiencing ‘tourism’. Smith said even when re-migrants visit they often complain that “there is nothing to do.”
He believes that the idea of tourism for Linden should be re-evaluated and effort should be put into finding out what visitors are looking for. Smith posited that Linden’s tourism officials must craft something to attract tourists, “even if it is man-made” since not everyone may be interested in nature or eco-tourism. He noted too the need for investment in more hotels in the community.
Sources of income from tourism and how much it impacts the Linden economy on a sustained basis is not clear, even though events like Linden Town Week, organized by the regional authorities, result in increased patronage at hotels, restaurants and vendors stalls both within and without the municipal markets. Other events, like the Rockstone Fish Festival also attract many visitors to Linden as they travel through the community on their way to Rockstone.
Wilfred Simmons, senior vice president of the TDA said he recognizes that there is need for more attractions year round. However, he expressed confidence that there are “quite a few things that can interest people.” Simmons, who is also the executive secretary of the Linden Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Development said though they have not thought of a man-made tourism attraction to supplement activities such as eco-tours, tours of the mines, the Watooka Club or views of the old aluminum plant, that idea can be considered. He said too though the tourism association is renovating the water-wheel it is hoping to embark on a joint venture with Brazilian investors. A team of businessmen from Brazil will be visiting the community today.
Another tourism site; the museum, is currently experiencing financial difficulties. Member of the Board and Craft Producer Irene Bacchus-Holder said the museum cannot afford to pay full-time staff to operate it for the published opening hours of 10 am to 6 pm and as such the Linmine Secretariat which manages entities that were under the control of the former bauxite company, pays a board member a stipend to open the facility. The volunteer leaves a notice about opening times when she leaves to run errands.
The museum is a non-governmental organization, created through community effort and it does not have an independent source of income other than entrance fees or other activities it hosts in order to supplement staff salary. The TDA also, does not have an independent source of income other than fees gained through the Rockstone Fish Festival, which is shared with the Rockstone community, and assistance from NGOs like the Linden Fund. However, Simmons noted that it plans to open an office at the museum to inform visitors about tourism activities in the community and it plans to host a show at Easter and a river show in August in collaboration with the Powerboat Association.
As regard the museum, Bacchus-Holder said Linden is serious about drawing more persons to the facility and she acknowledged that there is need to come up with more creative ideas. The woman also admitted that she has tried unsuccessfully to encourage her relatives from other regions to visit Linden.
Meanwhile, the tourism agency along with the Linden Chamber of Commerce will host a Linden Expo this year. Sixteen businesses participated in activities last year and several entrepreneurs were pleased with the response. The exercise was prompted by the retrenchment of over 100 employees from Linden’s largest private sector employer – BOSAI Minerals Group Guyana Inc – and it aimed at finding new markets since disposable income in the community was affected. This year the expo is expected to feature exhibits by Surinamese and Brazilian businesses along with selected businesses from other regions.
