Dear Editor,
I read with interest an article from GTA that Guyana continues to captivate and inspire travelers from around the globe. The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) is proud to have played an integral role in this month’s achievements. Most notably, Guyana’s culture took centre stage as the spirit of diversity and inclusivity was palpable throughout key events. In light of the article, I want to share with GTA the experience of some of my guests. I have an Airbnb, and I host world travelers from around the world. One of my current guests have traveled to 150 countries.
Guyana is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful rainforests, birdwatching, vibrant culture, and Kaieteur Falls. However, there are several reasons why travelers may want to think twice before booking a trip here. In this article, I will explore several reasons to avoid Guyana. The most common issue I hear from my guests when talking about Guyana is how expensive and unaffordable things are in Guyana.
I have 11 tourists from seven different countries staying at my Airbnb who experienced the following while visiting Guyana this week.
One, for example, when they arrived at the Guyana and Suriname border, they were treated badly because they didn’t have insurance for their vehicle. They had to spend a night in Berbice until they could purchase insurance. Because insurance is not sold near the border, they had to pay USD$500 to stay at the hotel in order to purchase USD$15 insurance. This is how they were welcomed as soon as they set foot on the soil in Guyana. The immigration officers showed them no mercy, no grace, no sympathy, only a profound indifference to their plight. Is this the way we want to encourage tourists to visit Guyana?
Two, the taxi drivers overcharged and took advantage of the tourists to take them to their hotel and the hotel overcharged them for their accommodations at the hotel. Everyone took advantage of the tourists’ desperate circumstances. Three, while the tourists were trying to make a reservation to go to Kaieteur Falls with three different tour companies, all three were treating them badly. All the companies were trying to get them to make their reservations with them and all the companies were using the same distasteful tactics to get the tourists to book with them. The tourists were disappointed and disgusted with their treatment by the travel companies.
Four, on their visit to Stabroek Market, they were treated badly and taken advantage of because they were taking pictures of the fish not the fish vendors. The vendors wanted them to pay them for taking pictures of the fish. Can you believe it? You have to pay to take pictures of dead fish. Only in Guyana! Five, after a long day but a fantastic time at Kaieteur Falls, the tourists came home feeling hot, sticky and muggy only to discover there was blackout and water outage. They couldn’t shower or brush their teeth. They couldn’t sleep because of air conditioner and no shower. The blackout lasted many hours. When they leave Guyana, what would be their memories of this country? Will they have good or bad things to say about our country?
Six, the highlight of their visit to Guyana was being able to visit Kaieteur Falls. That was the only good memory of Guyana they are taking with them. Put simply, the tourists left Guyana feeling everybody is out to get them, to rob them, to make money off them and to take advantage of them. Will they recommend Guyana to other tourists, I doubt it and this is why Guyana will never become a viable experience for tourists or a viable destination for tourists. So when I read that Guyana continues to captivate and inspire travelers from around the globe, I wonder if the GTA and I are talking about the same country.
Sincerely,
Anthony Pantlitz
