Wedding destination tourism is a huge industry

Oct 28, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
I read in one of the on-line newspapers that President Granger has announced that the Guyana Government will reduce the length of time it takes to get a marriage license in Guyana. This is great news. I am a Preston Bailey certified wedding destination planner and was part of a trade and investment mission which visited Guyana from the United States this past May.
During my visit, which was to explore opportunities for developing Guyana as a wedding and special events destination, I raised the issue of the length of time it takes to get a marriage license with several officials including then Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes, Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Public Security Minister Kemraj Ramjattan. I pointed out to these and other officials that Guyana has great potential to become a wedding, honeymoon and special events destination given several of its attributes including its rich and diverse ethnic, religious and cultural mosaic; its exotic flora and fauna; its interesting heritage sites including Kaieteur Falls and St. George’s Cathedral and its overall uniqueness as a country.
This aspect of the tourism industry could be a major contributor to the Guyanese economy and to the sustained profitability of several private businesses. It will also assist in sustainable job creation. Wedding and special events destination tourism is a multi-billion-dollar industry. The destination wedding market accounts for $300 billion annual spending. Worldwide, twenty four percent (24%) of couples will have a combined household income of $120,000 or more and sixteen (16) percent of marriages are destination weddings. Usually, guests visiting for weddings stay an average of four days and the couple for seven. I have been involved in the industry for over 27 years and look forward to pursuing my plans for making Guyana a first class wedding destination. Thanks to the Government of Guyana for having the foresight to amend the laws to accommodate the development
Joy Agnes
President/CEO
Joy Agnes Events

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