The third annual Wakenaam Night, hosted last Saturday in Region 2, attracted a huge-turnout and Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Indranauth Haralsingh said such activities help to promote domestic tourism.

Speaking at the Wakenaam Community Centre Ground, Haralsingh was quoted by the Government Information Agency (GINA) as saying that there is a “deliberate thrust” to encourage Guyanese “to travel more internally,” and “to explore, experience and enjoy our country.”

He also noted that the event also provided an opportunity for communities to showcase their available products and services. Mahdia, Moruka and Berbice recently held expos, which GINA said is an indication that such events are growing in popularity across the country.

Haralsingh noted that this year’s Wakenaam Night was bigger than in the previous years and described it as a major attraction for overseas-based Guyanese.

While the island has a resident population of 5,000, GINA said some 8,000 were there last weekend.

“There are many opportunities in Wakenaam,” Haralsingh also said and he reiterated a call made by Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad for someone to open a hotel on the island to capitalise on hosting activities where bed and breakfast services are required. He said overseas-based Guyanese can also capitalise on such investment opportunities and he suggested that there was scope to operate hotels, provide tours to neighbouring islands, develop agro-tourism, showcase culinary arts and craft and engage in light manufacturing.

He then pointed out as a good example of private/public sector partnership, that contestants in the Miss Wakenaam Beauty Pageant were sponsored by local businesses such as speed boat operators. Digicel and Banks DIH also provided substantial support.

The night’s entertainment featured the Shakti String Orchestra as well as the beauty pageant.

Fifteen-year-old Cheka Paloma Kung-Beharry won the pageant, beating eight other contestants from areas such as Zeelandia, San Souci and Moriah Johanna.
A representative of James Bahadur and Son Pottery, an exhibitor of pottery, noted that the expo was a good opportunity to advertise products and access local, regional and international markets. He said that the night was bigger and better and there was a need to enlarge facilities to accommodate more people.

The Wakenaam Night Committee organised the event with assistance from government as well as the Region 2 Neighbourhood Democratic Council and the Regional Democratic Council.