By Tracey Khan -Drakes
[www.inewsgyyana.com] – The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), today (June 26), met with Airline and Hotel Operators to discuss the boom in the hospitality and airline industries as a result of several new airlines entering the local market.
Head of the GTA Indranauth Haralsingh said improving the tourism sector is key as government continues to push the sector in overdrive and make it more accessible to the rest of the world. The GTA Head also said the spin off effects of these new airlines is already manifesting and as such those in the hospitality sector have to upgrade their standards.
He recalled that Guyanese have been calling for more airlines, competitive airfare, more destinations to travel where they can market and introduce their products and services. “This call is being answered and all Guyanese are benefiting.”
Hoteliers expressed optimism in this new trend that is driving the sector and pushing the revenue base. As a result Hoteliers are working to bring their ‘A’ game to the now competitive market to get “a slice of the cake.”
United States registered Dynamic Airways will officially enter the market today, with its first flight set to land at the Ceddi Jagan International Airport at about 16:00hrs. The airline will be plying several routes including Barbados, Brazil and Toronto twice weekly.
Insel Air also commenced flights from Guyana to Miami through Aruba and Curacao just last week. CONVIAS, Venezuela’s national air carrier has begun operations between Caracas and Georgetown, and will also plying a number of additional routes.
Message to the Guyana Tourism Board. I am a Guyanese that LOVE my country very much, I’m one of thousands who was forced to move to other parts of the world. Unfortunately, on my recent visits, I was very disappointed that after 30 something years, I returned to blackouts and water shortage; and the condition of the roads in areas where cars and four wheel vehicles traverse frequently at high speeds. Why haven’t your Ministry of Works seen to it, to build sidewalks for pedestrians? Your gutters were littered with trash, and stagnant water pooled in corners where mosquitoes can breed. The Big Market area is congested, the side walks in that area are congested. One particular offensive eyesore was the gutter on Regent Street and the trenches in the North & South Road area and Campbellville, particularly in front of OMG’s Restaurant. It is not free flowing and stinks; this is supposed to be an eatery, why hasn’t the Ministry of Health done something about that? There is no proper Public Transportation. But here you are inviting others to visit the country. How about CLEANING UP before you embark on this venture.