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Hotels, local businesses cash in on visitor arrival
Guyana‘s 50th Independence Anniversary and Golden Jubilee celebrations has brought thousands of overseas -based Guyanese and tourists to these shores.
Returning Guyanese browse through the artifacts on sale in the downtown Georgetown area.
During a typical walk in downtown Georgetown, one is likely to bump into several returning Guyanese and tourists admiring the patriotism displayed in the buildings beautifully adorned with symbols of nationhood, the cleanliness of the restored city and the shopping for locally made artifacts or sampling local cuisine.
Hoteliers, car rental services and several local businesses have been cashing in on the benefits due to the hike in tourism.
But Creole eateries, and craft shops may be among the categories of business in the industry raking in the most benefits. Overseas-based Guyanese, Kim Chester and Carl Anthony Brown, are attested to the fact.
Both returning Guyanese noted that the favourite part of visiting their homeland is reconnecting with old friends and relatives and indulging in simplicity of Guyanese life.
Brown said that he was especially impressed by the warm welcome he received upon his arrival at the airport.
“The staff greeted us with hugs and handed memorabilia to help us enjoy the celebrations.”
According to Director of Guyana Tourism Authority, (GTA) Indranauth Haralsingh, overseas visitors have been coming from “literally,” all around the world to participate in
Returning Guyanese Kim Chester and her crew struck a pose while shopping in the city yesterday.
events.
Singh said that tourists are arriving from the Caribbean, United Kingdom, and North America. Some come from as far as Australia.
He explained that while Guyana is not known for the hotel culture, lots of hotels have been reaping the benefits as a result of the huge influx of tourist and returning Guyanese currently in the country to participate in festivities.
Singh said that several hotels and bed and breakfast facilities registered under the GTA have been fully booked and doing great business because of the jubilee celebrations.
He explained that the tourism authority had conducted a number of training sessions with staff of the various hotel outlets to ensure that the guests receive the best in Guyanese hospitality.
According to Haralsingh the list of activities, including the Guyana Festival, the Indigenous culture and folk music festival, the arts and craft exhibition, the Night of Legends Concert and the highly anticipated Independence Day parade should enthrall the visitors.
The GTA official said that he is therefore confident that the returning Guyanese, especially those who are visiting their homeland after an extended hiatus, will create unforgettable memories.
A section of the souvenir shop at Guyana stores yesterday.
Officials from several hotels in the city noted that their occupancy rate is 100 per cent.
Employees of the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel noted that rooms are fully booked for the entire month.
“We may have one or two guests checking out but the rooms are going fast. In cases like these, it is advised that you book your hotel room like weeks before. Some persons would have booked since last year,” a female hotel staff told this newspaper.
The Pegasus Hotel in Kingston and the recently commissioned Tower Suites on Main Street Georgetown are also filled to capacity.
Operations Manager of the Tower Suites, Chandrika Hemraj, had reported that all 78 rooms of the establishment were booked for the Jubilee celebration. He had expressed confidence in the hotel‘s capacity to cater to the business class given its central location.
The Marriott Hotel Guyana which has 197 rooms has also been filled to capacity. Hotels located outside the city are also raking in the benefits. Officials of Aracari Hotel and resort, located at Versailles, West Bank Demerara and Grand Coastal Inn, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, half an hour from the city also reported 100 per cent occupancy.
Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations have been highly anticipated for Guyanese at home and abroad. The anniversary is marked with a slew of activities but for many patriotic Guyanese today‘s Independence parade fete is expected to be icing on the cake.
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