WITH a pristine rustic setting, tranquil villages and hospitable people, Region Two is poised to become a major tourist destination. All that is now required is the investment to make it happen.Residents and persons in the business community are of the view that the abandoned airstrip at Anna Regina should be restored, and roads in the region need to be widened.

They praised the efforts of the regional administration to build more recreational parks in the region, but want those to be of a high standard, where they and visitors can go and have light drinks, coffee, chit-chat in the afternoons and picnic on the weekends.
Primarily a rice farming region, Region Two is home to six Amerindian reservations, abundant rice and coconut cultivations, aquaculture farms, the breathtaking Lake Mainstay Resort, riverine resorts, 18 attractive hotels, the magnificent Capoey Lake, huge supermarkets, and a thriving business community.

These are just a few of the attractions on which the region needs to capitalise and build, Essequibo Chamber of Commerce President Deleep Singh told the Guyana Chronicle.

“Many persons in the big cities around the world, who eat rice every day, never saw a rice field or a rice mill in their lives. They have never seen a dense and pristine rainforest, vast species of birds, cattle rearing and coconut plantations. These can all be part of an agro-tourism package the region can provide for visitors,” he said.

The businessman also pointed out that when visitors come to the region, they spend money, which stimulates business in the region, and with thriving businesses better services are provided and new jobs are created.

The region, Mr Singh believes, has what it takes to be developed into a formidable agro-and eco-tourism destination, but all have to play their part — from the regional administration offering its support, to taxi and minibus drivers and boat operators being courteous to visitors. Training in this regard is important so, too, is the support of the various bodies under the Ministry of Tourism.

But while the region is a peaceful place, it is also an unusually quiet place, with businesses closing their doors before 18:00 hrs. and residents retiring to bed at around 20:00 hrs. This situation obtains every day except on Monday, which is market day at Charity, and is by far the liveliest day of the week.

LITTLE ENTERTAINMENT
“There is little (on offer) in terms of entertainment. There are few places for clean entertainment, and many folks on the coast traditionally view entertainment as a long, noisy day in the rum shop. This can be changed if we have more events celebrating our various cultures as a region; our farming communities and their contributions to the region and Guyana; major historical events, and a more healthy night life.

“What we need are a few major or signature events in the region to liven up the lives of residents,” the Chamber of Commerce President said.

He also noted that, apart from the Damon Monument, there is no other major historical site in the region, and he opined that this is an area regional officials can look into and address.

“Aside from this, attention should be paid to boat tours, canoeing, regattas, fishing expeditions and aggressive marketing of the region as a tourism destination. Guyana has promising potential as a major tourist destination, and, with proper investment, Region Two can be a major tourist attraction.

“We are eager to play our part, but we need the support of all stakeholders”.

Unlike its Caricom counterparts, the tourism industry in Guyana is relatively new. Guyana started to pay attention to the tourism sector in the early 1980s, and has since been investing efforts in building a reputable international profile. There is much work to be done, and the road ahead is promising.

The World Travel and Tourism Council, the authority on global travel and tourism, had reported that direct contribution of travel and tourism in Guyana raked in some $18.8 billion (three per cent of total Gross Domestic Product [GDP] in 2013. This sum, the World Travel and Tourism Council estimates, will increase to $26.8 billion by 2024. The total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP three years ago was $47 billion, or 7.6 per cent of GDP. It is expected to increase to $69 billion by 2024.

The Council also projected that visitor exports will grow to $18.8 billion by 2024, and travel and tourism investment will reach $4.4 billion by that time.

The local tourism industry offers an array of services, providing direct employment for some 8,000 and indirect employment to thousands more.