Govt developing ‘Guyanese Christmas’ tourism package – Rodrigues

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues today revealed that the Guyana Government is developing a special ‘Guyanese Christmas tourism package’ that will incorporate various activities designed to offer visitors a magical holiday experience.

“We’re working on Christmas to tie in accommodation as well as the tours for Christmas. So, for Guyanese coming home for Christmas or visitors coming to Guyana for Christmas, they can expect a package that will take them to Kaieteur Falls, that will take them on city tours, that will take them to the Christmas Village that we will prepare on Main Street and incorporate other local tours here in Georgetown, so we’re giving them a full package for Christmas,” the minister explained.

The Christmas Village is an annual event that takes place on Main Street, Georgetown. The event transforms Main Street into a festive hub for local businesses, cultural displays, and food.

A few years ago, Prime Minister Mark Phillips spoke about the need to market “Guyanese Christmas” as unique tourism product, saying that “I always take a moment to marvel at Guyanese traditions and the time we take to ensure that they are kept alive. Guyanese customs and practices are truly unique, and originate from a myriad of cultures that all converge to make a magnificent melting pot of traditions”.

Rodrigues’ predecessor, Minister Oneidge Walrond, had in 2022 similarly remarked that “the ‘Guyanese Christmas’ is a compelling tourism product especially for diaspora. There is just something unique about Guyana and Christmastime here, and we miss it when we’re abroad. So, we find that there are many visitors coming here… We’re going to be building on this – this is our tourism product and I want us all to buy into it and understand that what we have here is so unique.”