TOURIST arrivals here continue to show a positive trend despite the global economic downturn and decline of tourism in the Caribbean, Minister of Tourism, Mr. Manniram Prashad reported last week.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, in his South Road, Georgetown office, he said 18.8 per cent more people arrived in June, pushing up the number to an 8.9 per cent increase at the end of the first six months of 2009.

Compared to 2008, in January, there was a seven per cent rise and 21.8 per cent in February, a 5.8 per cent decline in March, an 11.5 per cent increase in April, 7.7 per cent in May which increased to 18.8 per cent in June, Prashad said.

According to him, the higher figure last month was the second highest annual for that period since 1995 and he projected that the trend will be maintained, surpassing 2008, despite the global international challenges.

Prashad said that is, indeed, positive for Guyana because it will benefit all the players involved in the sector while less tourists have gone to most of the Caribbean islands of sun, sand and sea and cruise ships.

“In North America, most of the people are visiting other States because of the recession and the economic downturn,” he stated.

However, in the case of this country, the tourism product is different and it has not suffered that fate, Prashad said, noting that the majority of the June visitors came from Canada and the United States to experience adventure and eco-tourism where birding tourism has been gaining momentum.

All the birding familiarisation (FAM) trips have been filled and the resorts in the Iwokrama area are booked until June next year, he disclosed.

Prashad said ‘Destination Guyana’ has continued to be promoted through participation in major international trade fairs, including the World Travel Market in London, England and the International Trade Bourst (ITB) in Berlin, Germany.

Through Wilderness Explorer, the first cruise ship ‘The Spirit of Adventure’ visited in April and another is expected during the next quarter.

Guyana hosted a packed schedule of events over the past months, among them Mashramani, international cricket and Easter activities, which attracted many visitors and a series of others are planned for the rest of the year, including Wakenaam Night on August Monday and GuyExpo.