MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Mr. Manniram Prashad has assured that last Saturday’s accident, when Caribbean Airlines Flight BW 523 overshot the runway at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, will not affect the tourism industry in Guyana. He gave the assurance yesterday during an interview at his South Road, Georgetown  office, where he addressed concerns over the effects of the plane crash.
“I do not agree with what (Trinidad’s) Prime Minister Kamla Persad–Bissessar said, that the accident would impact tourism. I don’t see it affecting tourism…it has nothing to do with the country and the destination. It is something to do with some external factor,” Prashad posited.
During a press conference on Saturday night, after arriving in this country, the Trinidadian Prime Minister expressed the view that the accident would have definitely impacted on the industry and the airline business as it raises safety concerns.
“There is no doubt that there will be an impact but we need to do as much damage control now…” PM Persaud-Bissessar said.
Minister Prashad did acknowledge that the incident would raise some concerns, especially as people are, generally, apprehensive about flying.
However, he noted that the safety record of Caribbean Airlines has been exceptional when compared to other international airlines.
Prashad maintained that, despite the unfortunate event, there has been no decline in the tourist arrivals or any unusual cancellation of flights. In fact, he disclosed that all scheduled flights entering Guyana are filled to capacity.
“Our tourism product remains the same. We are getting better and better and more and more people are coming in to Guyana after the incident, the planes are full, there is no drop.”
Addressing the issue of safety at the CJIA, he said, to the best of his knowledge, all systems are working and there is no problem with the Civil Aviation Authority, the lights or the landing system.

NO PROBLEM
The Tourism Minister said he did not want to comment as to what happened since the investigations are ongoing but he maintained: “Our airport and facilities are perfect. Caribbean Airlines have been landing there for 64 years. There is no problem with our system. As to what happened I do not want to speculate.”
Prashad took the opportunity to point out that other airlines, like Delta, have also been using the airport services for years without incident, citing that as testimony to the fact that “our systems have no problems”.
He encouraged persons not to speculate on what might have caused the airplane to crash but to await the findings of the ongoing investigations.