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Lake Mainstay Regatta Continues to propel Tourism Sector in Region Two
Region Two (Pomeroon Supernaam) celebrated its Annual Regatta last Sunday at the
The popular powerboat racing is the highpoint of the Lake Mainstay Regatta and many flock to get a taste of the intense competition.
illustrious Lake Mainstay Resort. The event which marked its 17th anniversary, attracted visitors from all walks of life, some from as far as the Caribbean and the other Americas. As the Minister of Social Cohesion, George Norton fittingly said, “There’s no doubt that the Lake Mainstay Resort is here to stay.”
There is much more to the Lake Mainstay Regatta than merely racing boats in a circuit. Behind the curtains of both competitiveness and good sportsmanship lays an even more integral feature. For almost two decades, the Lake Mainstay Regatta has been promoting tourism extensively, at the same time boosting the local economy of Region Two.
Coordinator of the Regatta event Wilfred Jagnaranie said, “When I came here I saw that Essequibo was starved for entertainment. I saw the need to fulfill that gap, so in 1997 a group of 5 investors including myself, established the Resort. I saw the need and thought it was a way of bringing people together, not just families but people of all cultures and races are here.” Since 2001 the Regatta, events were held once a year in the summer time, a vocational period which accommodates families and overseas Guyanese from all over the world.
As the Regatta spirit grows, more of the population injects cash into the economy’s circular flow of income. Mr. Jagnaranie explained, “Transportation as a whole benefits, those in the market spaces vending clothes and food also benefits, some of the hotels have even ran out of accommodation for the weekend.” The Lake Mainstay Resort at the same time employs
The Lake Mainstay Regatta attracts a wide cross section of visitors to the entertaining action that unfolds.
some 60-70 staff, 70 percent of which are from the Mainstay/ Wayaka Community. Commenting on the Community’s additional economic development, Jagnaranie added, “Of all the Amerindian communities you can see the development in Mainstay, we have electricity, telephone and internet service, water, and even an airstrip.”
As Minister Norton pointed out, “Region Two has been leading Guyana with the Mainstay Resort from as far as tourism is concern.” Speaking with this Publication the Minister added, “I am happy that it has been formalized, the fact that this regatta is the 17th year speaks volumes. Guyana needs much more of this, I’m happy that there are persons from as far as Bartica, the Pomeroon and locally from Charity to Supernaam. We see Region Two taking up position, capitalizing on the Regatta takeover from Bartica, this has not only been a national event but an international one as well.”
The government has signaled its readiness to boost the Region’s Tourism Sector by first putting in place the “Needy” infrastructures. President of the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce, Deleep Singh, said that “an Asphalted road has been budgeted for the community for the coming year [2018].” Singh added, “The chamber is working closely with the Regional Administration, we’re involved in budget proposals and always talk about the roads and the airstrip, all in the interest of enhancing travelling to the Resort. The Essequibo Chamber of Commerce decided that we would make tourism our focus in 2017. Regatta is a signatory event in the Caribbean. It’s a catalyst in developing the tourism sector in region two.” It is anticipated that with the new asphalted road, the resort would become even more accessible to visitors, catapulting the tourism rating even further.
On the fun side of the Regatta event, visitors are entertained by a day of entertaining boat competitions; where the fastest and most skillful racers participate for attractive prizes. In the evening there’s an after show party which begins after the prize presentation concludes. This segment of the regatta concludes until 10:00 pm to 11:00 pm since it caters for the younger population, who may just feel the need to “throw down.” (Romario Blair)
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