With Guyanese takeover…
A MASSIVE US$3M upgrade has been announced for the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, which is, for the first time, under Guyanese ownership.

Mr. Robert Badal introducing the hotel’s management team.

The Pegasus Enhancement Plan, announced there on Monday night, is to further enhance the level of hospitality and comfort to that offered by a true five-star hotel.

Chairman and Director, Mr. Robert Badal, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Stockfeeds Incorporated and owner of Popeye’s fast food outlet, said the reception at which he spoke marked a moment in history for the city, the hotel, its staff and patrons.

Commissioned in 1969, the place has had several foreign owners, the new one observed.

He said it was built by British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and has operated under several brands, including Trust House Forte, Le Meridien and recently, Lehwood Netherlands Holdings.

“This is the first time, in its 40 years of history, that it has had Guyanese ownership. It is with tremendous pride and commensurate humility that I offer this hospitality to all my fellow Guyanese, as well as our other honoured guests,” Badal said, adding: “Over the years, the Pegasus has been Guyana’s flagship hotel.”

Some of the guests at the launching of the Pegasus Enhancement Plan

He pointed out that the hotel is the host of first choice for international conferences, seminars and guests who included Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth of England, Mr. Brian Lara and Sir Sridath Ramphal.

“These persons from such diverse backgrounds and cultures are united by a common appreciation of excellence.

“The Guyana Pegasus owes its position as a flagship hotel in Guyana to its superb facilities, amenities and location. The hotel provides its guests with a tropical resort atmosphere combined with all the amenities of a first rate business hotel,” Badal boasted.

He said visitors to Guyana are forecast to increase over the next decade, as a result of worldwide growth in the heritage, adventure and eco-tourism segments of the travel and lodging industry.

“Guyana is creating an international reputation as an ideal alternative to the traditional Caribbean sun and sand vacation, instead offering travellers unspoiled beauty; a unique cultural heritage; distinct natural spaces including savannahs, virgin rainforests, majestic mountains, large rivers and spectacular waterfalls,” Badal detailed.

He said: “To many Guyanese, however, this 130-room, ocean front property, on the delta of the Demerara River and the Atlantic Ocean, is Georgetown’s social centre with its bars, restaurants, meeting spaces and unparalleled poolside ambience.”

UNINTERRUPTED
Badal said, although there has been a change of ownership, the management and business of the hotel remain uninterrupted.

“Over the years, the Pegasus staff has done an excellent job in maintaining high standards of service and hospitality.

“My company is very satisfied with its investment in this hotel.

“The Pegasus is the true icon of Guyanese hospitality and business landscape and the new ownership intends to build on the existing goodwill and strength the hotel has maintained over the years,” he pledged.

To this end, Badal outlined the proposed undertakings, saying: “While we will build on the strength as a business hotel, we will also increase the unique eco-tourism Guyana has to offer in such abundant variety in this area.”

He went on: “This is a truly exciting new era for the hotel and its employees and patrons and, certainly, for all Guyana.”

Badal said the project envisages remodelling and redecorating all the rooms in the circular tower in a captivating ambiance, all will have a unique replica of a site depicting Guyana’s breathtaking natural beauty.

Additionally, he said the hotel’s air-conditioning systems will be upgraded; the new indoor/outdoor pool area will incorporate a spacious sports bar; radically new gym and spa facilities will be built; upgrades of the plumbing, electrical and water supply systems and the reception area will be completely remodeled and redecorated with an Internet café and tour desk.

Badal said, with the takeover, Browne’s café will also be completely refashioned and expanded to provide more space and comfort to diners.

“The new management intends to take no shortcuts,” he asserted.

Badal said: “I have already assembled a very talented, not to mention highly paid, team of hospitality consultants who will carefully study the hotel’s operations for areas in which our level of service offered can be upgraded, make recommendations for these and expertly implement the solutions devised.”

He went on: “Although the Pegasus charges higher room rates than other hotels in town, its offerings have always represented good value.”

“Beginning this weekend, however, the management would implement a special weekend rate of a US$100 per night to all Guyanese, so that they can experience our hospitality at an affordable rate,” Badal announced.

He explained: “This is not so much about future profits as it is about a true demonstration of Guyanese hospitality.”

Badal acknowledged that, a year ago, investing in the Pegasus was not even on his radar screen.

“It just goes to show how one’s destiny changes in unimaginable ways. I am confident that we will succeed.”

CONGRATULATIONS
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad, who served as a Government Director of the Pegasus for several years, offered his congratulations on the ownership.

“I am so happy tonight and very pleased that Pegasus has been fully owned and taken over by a Guyanese,” he declared.

He said almost 100 per cent of the local hotels are now owned by Guyanese and it is evidence of the confidence in the dynamic leadership of President Bharrat Jagdeo and the economy.

Prashad reiterated: “I am so happy that the premier hotel in Guyana – the Pegasus – is now owned by a Guyanese who, through his stewardship over the years in his business enterprise, has seen it fit to further invest in this country and in a hotel of this magnitude.”

Lauding the weekend package offer to Guyanese, he said: “I have been talking about pricing and packaging. This hotel, over the years, despite having spoken to them many times about having weekend packages for locals, they have never done that.

“If you know Pegasus, they always had one price. There is no low season, high season, always one price.

“This is unique and this is what we need in Guyana not only at the Pegasus,” he advocated.

He said the future looks great for the hotel industry and tourism in Guyana and his ministry and other stakeholders, including tour operators, have been in the forefront of promoting Guyana, because the country has a unique brand of tourism.

“We have eco-tourism, nature tourism and adventure tourism and that is why we have changed our brand from Guyana Naturally to Guyana – the Amazon Adventure,” Prashad said.

He said Guyana has more than 800 species of birds and is now ranked as one of the top birding destinations in the world, alongside Peru.

Influential businessman and Chairman of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Mr. Yesu Persaud, referring to Badal as an exemplary character, congratulated him while noting his spirit of perseverance in all his endeavours.

“It makes me proud, indeed, as a Guyanese, to see that this hotel, which was built in 1969, has now come into the hands of a Guyanese.

“We want people of merit, people who believe in themselves and believe in their country and he firmly believes in Guyana,” Persaud said of Badal.

The new General Manager, Mr. Martin Duane, was introduced to the gathering, including Indian High Commissioner, Mr. Subit Kumar Mandal; Canadian High Commissioner, Mr. Charles Court and members of the Private Sector.