AS Tourism Month Awareness activities come to a close, the Tourism Minister still has a few exciting activities on the cards such as the Annual Christmas Tree Light-Up, the King’s Duck Curry competition, Rupununi Business Forum, the second South Rupununi Safari and the Rupununi Expo.

On October 31, Tourism Awareness Month 2014 was launched under the theme: ‘Tourism Entrepreneurs and Ambassadors Mobilised’, with the aim of raising awareness of the country’s tourism potential as the Government continues to promote tourism as a sector that has potential for significant economic growth.
This year’s theme was selected to highlight tourism entrepreneurs and ambassadors who are regarded as the key vehicles for the creation of new enterprises, employment and the stimulation of competition in the sector.
It is hoped that they will also educate and inspire their families, friends and colleagues to embrace tourism, Tourism Minister (ag), Irfaan Ali explained at the launch of Tourism Month.

SOUTH RUPUNUNI SAFARI
Speaking at the launch of Restaurant Week, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh, said this year’s South Rupununi Safari is expected to be bigger than last year. He noted that at present there are seven vehicles from Suriname which will account for some 28 persons, six from Trinidad and Tobago, one Canadian biker, one from Jamaica, four from Dominica, 13 from Guyana, one truck from the Essequibo Coast and another which was promised by the Tourism Ministry last year.
The Director explained that this safari is slated to move off on November 26 and will conclude at the Rupununi Expo on November 29 so as to give participants the opportunity to participate in the expo.
He said also that the annual Christmas Tree light-up at Rahaman’s Park on the East Bank is slated for Friday, November 28 and he urged persons to come out with their families.

HOMECOMING MAGAZINE
Haralsingh also disclosed that the Tourism Ministry and the GTA will be opening a visitor’s information centre at Lethem, Region 9. This office will temporarily be located at the Conservation International Office. “This centre is intended to provide foreigners with information on Guyana’s tourism products and services and also soon we will be launching our official “Homecoming Guyana 2015 magazine,” he said.
The first ever Restaurant Week has started and continues daily, with restaurants offering two-course lunch specials at a standard price of $2,000 and $3,000 and dinner specials at $4,000 and $5,000.

(Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)