– For annual August Monday lime
TOURISM Minister Mr. Manniram Prashad, on Monday, joined scores of Guyanese and visitors at Hamburg Beach, Tiger Island for the annual August Monday lime. Minister Prashad interacted with persons who converged on the beach for a fun-filled day with their families and friends with music, games for children and even tassa-drumming, while some enjoyed taking a dip in the water.
The activity, as customary, is held just after the Annual Wakenaam Night which was successfully held this year on Saturday on the island of Wakenaam, which is just a few minutes from Tiger Island.
Minister Prashad, who also took the opportunity to extend Emancipation greetings, noted that it is a tradition that on the first Monday of August there is a big beach lime at Hamburg Beach which attracts Guyanese from all walks of life including from Georgetown, Wakenaam, Essequibo and Leguan, and overseas-based Guyanese as well.
Minister Prashad also took the opportunity to extend Emancipation greetings to all Guyanese.
He said that Wakenaam Night has grown from strength to strength since it started four years ago.
He said activities like Wakenaam Night and Hamburg Beach activity which are part of his Ministry’s calendar of events, not only augur well for domestic tourism, but  attract many visitors from the Diaspora who come back home during this time of the year specially for these activities, which help to showcase and promote different areas of Guyana.
He recalled that one of the challenges he had thrown out to residents of Wakenaam and those attending the Wakenaam Night is for someone to invest in building a small hotel on the island.
In this regard, the Tourism Minister disclosed that a couple from Wakenaam, remigrating from New Jersey, United States (U.S), is considering setting up a small hotel.
“They are thinking seriously about constructing a small hotel on the island of Wakenaam. Initial discussions have taken place,” he said.
He said they are looking at the location and to see how government can assist through public/private partnership to get this venture off the ground “because it is very important to have a small hotel on the island of Wakenaam particularly with all the attractions that we are having over the recent years.”
He said Government has already invested in an airstrip which will be opened very shortly.
“We feel a small hotel will be a big boost for this area of Wakenaam. I am happy to say that Mr. Ferouz Amin and Ameela have confirmed that they are seriously interested in constructing this hotel,” he said.
Minister Prashad said this venture will help to promote tourism as more and more visitors are coming to ‘Destination Guyana’ with its unique tourism product.
Amin who has been living in the U.S. for some 30 years, said when he came last year for Wakenaam Night, it was a very festive activity and  he was very impressed with the event especially the organising of Wakenaam Night, but he realised that they face difficulties in terms of accommodation.
“So I think it would be a good addition to the island and hopefully attract more people and make the event more successful,” he said.