Government has said that tourism is a priority sector of the economy and has embarked on several new initiatives such as the ‘Caribbean Challenge’ and the ‘Gold Festival’ which will be marketed in the Caribbean to expand the sector and create new opportunities.
‘Challenge Caribbean’ will be launched in collaboration with Kanuku Tours and will include hiking along the Shamrock Point mountain range in the Kanuku, Tourism Minister (ag) Irfaan Ali, according to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report. This initiative will be marketed in Jamaica and Trinidad to attract Regional tourists.
University of the West Indies students will also be targeted for ‘back pack tours’ in collaboration with Essequibo tour operators. Work is ongoing to get at least 200 students to come in for a four-day period, Ali said.
Reflecting on international shows in Guyana, the minister asserted that these will continue even as Easter and rodeo are continuing to be marketed comprehensively in Jamaica and Suriname. Fly Jamaica has been targeted for a comprehensive tour package to encourage Jamaicans to come to Guyana.
The ‘Gold Festival’ will be advertised to draw visitors to Guyana to engage in panning for gold. “This will involve small gold miners and registered jewellery houses coming together to showcase the El Dorado and encourage regional participants into Guyana,” GINA said. The initiative is expected to be launched during the CPL Cricket period in Guyana this year. Tourists will be taken to a mined out area where they would be exposed to panning for gold.
In addition, four cruise ships are expected in Guyana in 2014.
The annual Caribbean Development Bank meeting will also be held here this year with more than 200 Caribbean officials expected to arrive. More than 50 visiting yachts arrived in Guyana last year and already over 10 have visited this year. Expectations are also high that the yachting rally 2014 will attract more than 50 yachts.
Meanwhile, plans are also underway through a proposal from an international investor to build a marina in Guyana. He is expected to present his proposal before the end of June. Further, a Tourism Market is planned along the Lamaha Canal where a section can be set aside for local craft, culture and food. This is expected to attract tourists from cruise ships. Plans are also in train to reorganise the Guyana Tourism Authority so that it can become more proactive, aggressive and efficient in the delivery of its service.
The minister is also pleased at the launch of several new investments, including night clubs, restaurants, the golf course and hotels such as the Park View and Marriot. The latter is scheduled to start operations by mid-year. Ali especially commended the Tuma Sàlà, Guyana’s first indigenous cuisine restaurant and called on locals to support it. He also noted the establishment of hotels in Lethem and another international brand hotel which will be coming to Guyana this year.
The minister said too that the start of construction of the 18-hole golf course on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway which would attract tourists. He lauded the new flight services such as COPA and CONVIASA to Guyana which would enable more travellers to visit the country. The many concerts and festival organised here have also seen visitors arriving to attend.
According to Ali, arrivals in Guyana increased to date by 6.3% this year and “we will continue our aggressive marketing in the regional markets of Suriname, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.” Tourism has contributed about seven per cent to the Gross Domestic Product and provides directly 2,000-3,000 jobs, Ali said, noting that it is the backbone of the future economic growth and development of the nation.
