At CJIA, Timehri…
AN atmosphere of merriment and celebration prevailed yesterday, when some 600 arriving Guyanese and visitors were treated to a ‘Christmas Welcome’ at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri.

Coordinated by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), it put smiles on the faces of the weary travellers as they received samples of Black Cake and Ginger Beer, aimed at spreading generous doses of the Guyanese spirit this season.

The disembarking guests were also regaled by local masquerade dancers as well as a dancing Santa Claus.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad, said it was the perfect occasion to meet and greet incoming visitors to this country during the festive season.

“The response from the visitors coming off the aircraft was positive,” he remarked.

“They were, immediately, relieved of any stress and felt good coming. Even the children were happy as they were also treated by Santa Claus,” Prashad said.

Some of the arriving guests said they were delighted at being exposed to such a warm welcome after enduring hours in flight.

OVERJOYED

On her first visit here, in many years, Ms. Ann Perreira, who resides in New York, was visibly overjoyed; she danced to the rhythms of the Masquerade Band.

“This is absolutely wonderful. I am so happy to be here and, when I got off of the ‘plane, I said: ‘Home sweet home’,” Perreira said.
She said others on board the Caribbean Airlines flight also cheered at the sight of the welcome awaiting them.
“We all clapped and this makes me want to come home every Christmas,” Perreira confessed.
Mr. Norman Goodchild, returning from New York after not spending Christmas in Guyana for six years, admitted that it was, indeed, a novel experience for him.
“I have never experienced anything like this before and I think it is a wonderful thing,” he offered.
Prashad said the special welcome was to ensure people are aware Guyana is the place to return, as it can boast of being the most hospitable nation, not only in the Caribbean but in the world.
“By doing this all through the year, persons will look forward to a true Guyanese welcome and this is what we are attempting to do this Christmas season,” Prashad explained.
He revealed that persons who arrived here last week complained about not being welcomed and that his ministry will, soon, have to begin the welcoming earlier to accommodate more people.

RESPONSE

Expressing satisfaction at the number of arrivals, Prashad said: “We are very pleased with the response, this year.”
He said there’re at least four flights that arrived yesterday morning, all filled.
According to him, a large number of young people travelled alone, a trend indicative of the fact that Guyana is fast becoming the destination of choice.
“The fact that teenagers are coming without their parents now, as opposed to a couple of years ago, tells us something. They are not going to Cancun (Mexico) or The Bahamas. They are coming to Guyana,” Prashad noted.
He cited a series of events which began on December 18, planned for this festive season, to entice and entertain visitors, including performances by local as well as international artistes.
Included in that programme is the annual ‘Main Big Lime’, which will be hosted on Boxing Day.
Jah Cure and Ashanti are set to perform on Christmas Night and the final of the Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament will be staged on New Year’s Day.
Prashad reminded that a multitude of promotions are scheduled throughout the country.