Acting Minister of Tourism Irfaan Ali yesterday launched the ‘Rediscover Home’ special package for Holi, the Festival of Colours, in an effort to encourage Guyanese in the Diaspora to come back to their homeland for the celebrations.
A press release from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, this pilot package is being made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) with the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Caribbean Airlines and participating hotels – Princess Hotel, Cara Lodge, Sleep Inn Hotels, Duke Lodge and Grand Coastal Inn.
The seven nights/eight days during March 2 to 9, dubbed ‘Gateway to the Festival of Colours celebration,’ seeks to encourage Guyanese from the Diaspora and visitors to come to ‘Destination Guyana’ and be a part of its rich culture and celebrate Holi or Phagwah, the Festival of Colours.
The package includes airfare, seven-night hotel accommodation, daily breakfast and entrance to all the Holi events being organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha during this period.
Among the annual Sabha events, the release said, are the Phagwah Mela and Bazaar, which includes a folk dance festival on the lawns of the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara on February 25; the finals of the Chowtaal Samalan on March 4 on the lawns of State House, Main Street, Georgetown; and on March 8 (Holi Day) the traditional Holi Utsaav at Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra, Prashad Nagar in Georgetown. In addition, there would be nationwide Holi celebrations.
The Sabha is also looking to bring here for the first time some of the stars from the popular ZEE TV Indian series.
Minister Ali said this move signals the start of collaboration between the government and the private sector to market and promote ‘Destination Guyana’ through packaging, and that it would help to boost tourism and attract more persons to the country. Encouraging the private sector to continue to package and promote Guyana’s unique tourism product, he said the special package during the Festival of Colours will help to showcase and promote part of the country’s rich and diverse culture.
Ali said the pilot package will ensure that Guyana’s tourism product is enhanced, marketed and “successful at the end of the day,” noting that the partnership sees a wide cross-section of players in the tourism and hospitality industry coming onboard.
This event will form part of the Ministry of Tourism’s motto this year, ‘Rediscover Home,’ which seeks to target persons to come back to their homeland and enjoy what Guyana has to offer.
Noting that the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is a key player in putting together the package, Ali said it will showcase and market Guyana’s unique and diverse culture. He also mentioned that a one-week package during Independence is being looked at.
Meanwhile, according to the release, Caribbean Airlines is offering a fare of US$580 return (all taxes included) from New York to Guyana and low fares from Trinidad for the package. Local transportation for all the events will be provided at the cost of US$5 per day. Visitors would be provided with a calendar of Holi events and tour options, including Roraima Tours trip to Arrowpoint Nature Resort at US$85 per person; Evergreen Adventures Essequibo River Tours at US$95 per person; and Rainforest Tours trip to Kaieteur Falls at US$230 per person.
Persons can book with any of the participating hotels and enjoy very low rates. For more information, persons can visit the Guyana Tourism Authority website: www.guyana-tourism.com or the Caribbean Airlines
website: www.caribbean-airlines.com
