GUYANA recorded a further increase in visitor arrivals last month as ‘Destination Guyana’ continues to attract more attention with its immense ecological and adventure tourism potential.

In November, visitors increased by 7.5 per cent over last year’s, making it another record breaking month with the highest figures since 1995.

Despite the global economic downturn and tourism decline in the Caribbean region, the number for this year is 8.8 per cent more, with 3.6 per cent in October.

Compared to 2008, in January, there was a seven per cent rise and 21.8 per cent in February; 5.8 per cent decline in March; 11.5 per cent rise in April; 7.7 per cent in May; 18.8 per cent in June; 20 per cent in July; 4.2 per cent in August and 0.2 per cent in September.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad, in an exclusive interview with Guyana Chronicle Thursday, said this country offers a different kind of tourism, being the destination of choice for nature, eco and adventure visitors.

He said this positive trend shows confidence in the destination and indicates success in the marketing and promotion of it by the Ministry, Guyana tourism Authority (GTA) and other industry stakeholders.

Prashad noted that Guyana has hosted several familiarisation (FAM) trips in partnership with Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS), Wilderness Explorer and other Private Sector players which are market driven and are about the most effective for marketing and promoting Guyana.

He said, in its marketing and promotion efforts, Guyana maintains attendance at key trade shows, such as World Travel Market, International Travel Bourst (ITB) in Berlin, British Bird Watching Fair, Suriname Tourism Fair and, for the first time, will be attending similar exhibitions in Holland and China, which are emerging markets that it is well positioned to penetrate.

Prashad recalled that, at the recent Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) meeting in St. Lucia, where a document it prepared showed that, at the end of October, only four countries, inclusive of Jamaica, Cuba and Saba, recorded positive increases in arrivals, with Guyana showing the highest.

He said more and more people are coming into Guyana for town days and reunions, with the improved facilities and infrastructure in place.

Prashad said President Bharrat Jagdeo is one of the finest ambassadors, promoting Guyana wherever he goes to promote the country’s ambitious Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

Prashad alluded to the launching of a weekly non-stop flight from Toronto, Canada, recently by Sky Service and expressed hope that this trend would continue this month, surpassing 2008.

Meanwhile, GTA Director, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh, speaking at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, last Tuesday when the Ministry, GTA and the airport management started its traditional Christmas welcome, informed that all the flights coming into Guyana during this period are full.