For the first quarter of this year, the projected tourist arrival rate in Guyana is 6% beyond that of last year, and acting Minister of Tourism Irfaan Ali said this would mostly be accounted for from the advancement of the oil and gas industry.
He noted that several consultants and other persons have been coming in to function in that component of the economy, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
The arrival of these persons can be used as an opportunity for tourism, Ali noted, and in order to do this the tourism sector will have to provide services and entertainment.
Additionally, weekend escapes should also be provided to the Essequibo. Ali suggested that government would have to commit to invest in this in order for Guyana to achieve the potential of what Essequibo offers.
“So as economic growth continues in these sectors, we have to ensure that our local capacity to offer something to those persons coming in to function in these segments of the economy is up there,” Ali is quoted as saying.
However, he warned stakeholders about the dangers of losing potential tourists, both local and overseas-based, to weekend trips to Trinidad. “I think that is why strategically Caribbean Airlines and other airlines are now offering weekend packages to Trinidad at very low rates because they have seen this market, the escape market. You fly out on Saturday evening and fly back on Sunday evening.”
In order to avoid this, Ali continued, the tourism sector has to ensure that the local capacity is built to make use of this opportunity. He noted too that there is a growing middle income population in Guyana and they must be motivated to explore Guyana first before venturing onto other packages.
Pointing out Guyana’s strategic geographic location, the minister urged that this be exploited, suggesting “fly Guyana, drive Brazil, sail Guyana, drive Suriname” packages.
He also expressed confidence that tourism is one of the major growth poles of Guyana’s future and challenged the mining industry to utilize the current amount of liquidity to look at the tourism sector as a potential hot spot to create a diversified portfolio and a sustainable income into the future.
