THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) is supporting the introduction of the Marriot Hotel brand in Guyana, saying it will be significant to the tourism, airline, service and other sectors of the economy. In a statement yesterday, the group said it has noted concerns in relation to the Marriot Hotel but feels the “impact of additional international branding will have a positive result for the country as customers loyal to their brand will be attracted.”
“It is also expected that the presence of a major international chain will create outward linkages to the international hub utilising the Marriott chain,” the PSC said.
The Marriot Hotel project has been on the cards since 1994 and the PSC support follows criticism of the scheme by the current owner of the Pegasus Hotel and others.
However, the PSC is calling for greater disclosure which will lend to a greater appreciation of the dimension of the government’s involvement in the overall project.
“Appropriate consultation should be ongoing with all stakeholders and…evaluations of all projects are necessary to ensure reasonable return on investment over an acceptable period”, it said.
The PSC said it is committed to the overall economic growth of Guyana.
It also noted the issue of quality of services delivered by local hotels as raised in the media.
In this context, the PSC said this highlights the need for hotels in Guyana to seek international certification for their services for larger operators and the need for a separate set of standards for the smaller hotels and guest houses.
“The PSC would also like to applaud local, foreign and potential investors/operators in the tourism and hospitality industry and to assure these groups of our continued support while we look forward to the continued development of the sector,” it said.
Marriott International Inc. recently announced that it will open its first Marriott branded hotel in Guyana in 2013.
The company said the 160-room hotel will operate under a management agreement with Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI) which is currently owned by the Government of Guyana as part of a public-private partnership between the government and private sector investors.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking on behalf of the government, said “Guyana looks forward to a first class branded quality hotel operated by Marriott International. This public-private partnership project will transform the hospitality landscape and can be expected to encourage more travel and tourism development for our nation. The project will be more an integrated entertainment complex ideally located at the corner of the Atlantic Ocean and Demerara River with a casino, night club, restaurant and boardwalk.”
Chief Development Officer for Marriott International in the Caribbean & Latin America, Laurent de Kousemaeker, stated that the company is thrilled to partner with AHI and the Government of Guyana to open its first Marriott Hotel in the country, representing Marriott’s presence in another capital city in South America.
According to Kousemaeker, the Guyana Marriott will play an instrumental role in the continued and commercial development of Guyana.