The August holiday has been earmarked as the second period of the calendar year for the promotion of a culture-based market in Guyana that provides a range of entertainment activities for persons at home and abroad. Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, at his post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday, said the period has so far been successful, with a variety of activities.
He listed the Bartica Regatta, Berbice Expo, Wakenaam Nite, Hamburg and 63 Beach events and the nationwide emancipation activities as just a few held over the past few weeks.
Such activities have a two-fold objective of creating a new stream of economic activities, and at the same time, promoting culture in Guyana. Dr Luncheon said the administration will continue to support such public entertainment events.
Wakenaam Nite was held for the third consecutive year on July 31, attracting thousands, including overseas-based Guyanese. The initiative is a signature event on the calendar of the Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with the Wakenaam Nite Committee.
The idea to make Guyana’s entertainment industry more viable and use it as a marketing tool emanated from discussions with President Bharrat Jagdeo, entertainers, promoters and allied stakeholders at a meeting in April last year.
Among the stakeholders were hoteliers, resort proprietors, local artistes, musicians, representatives of airline agencies, and designers.
The President proposed a plan to identify at least four periods in the year when activities can be hosted to keep people occupied and at the same time create endless lucrative opportunities for local entertainers and the tourism industry. (GINA)