I am glad that tourism is beginning to really bloom in Guyana. When I consider the natural beauty of this country, the massive land mass, the rich vegetation, virgin jungles, exotic flora and fauna, and the large expanse of water, I know we are sitting on a golden mine. All that has to be done is to put the requisite infrastructure in place, and then market the country locally, regionally and internationally. This is beginning to happen, and it means income, aesthetics and image. I just learned that the Government is planning to expand the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri. This is really a part of the overall development of the tourism sector and to encourage more flights and stopovers in Guyana. This move I must commend. Usually the impression on first time visitors is made right at the airport. So with the CJIA ‘being spruced up’ Guyana’s image will be greatly enhanced. I must admit, that many of the regions’ airports are in better appearance than Guyana’s. What can go a long way too is if all the immigration and custom officers put some ‘spice’ into their work. Too many times it seems as if their work is just ‘for the dollar.’ They need to remember that ‘a smile can really go a mile’ and that politeness is really a mark of refinement. I would hate to see a great façade but a staff of rude and impertinent people. I say this based on a bad experience I once had in 2006. This is a one-off experience, and so it must not be generalized.

According to the news emanating from the Office of the President, the upgrade works on the airport will redound in the runway being lengthened by a further 3,500 feet in addition to a new terminal building with eight air bridges. This means, yes, a very good appearance; but it is also symptomatic of expansion in air travel. So quite rightly, the accommodations must be set in place. Also if RED jet should keep up its growth, then there would be more North American and European flights, in and out of Guyana. I am getting a bit ahead of myself here, but I think I can dream of a really metropolitan milieu at CJI airport in the near future. I like how it sounds in the actual words of President Jagdeo:

“The project that we are negotiating now will see a longer runway by another 3,500 feet; it will see a new airport building that will have eight air bridges. It will be connected to the city by a four-lane road – we have already awarded contracts for part of that road,”
“So the infrastructure to make Guyana a hub for Suriname, Brazil, Trinidad and Barbados, to do this route, the potential remains very high. And I suspect we may be able to get other planes from Africa and other places to transit in Guyana. But we definitely have to get more airlifts into North America because that’s a big problem…and to Europe too.”

I repeat: I really like the ring of this. I always feel that if connectivity of air, land and water can be enhanced, Guyanese need not even leave this land for a holiday. The vast land mass, the spectacular rivers, the glorious wild life, and the magnificent vista of the country as a whole are of such immensity, that local in house tourism can bring about a ‘buzz’ in Guyana. Again, I am exceedingly happy that tax payers’ money is beginning to show great dividends in Guyana. This augurs well for the local people as well as for those coming for a visit. You know, readers, you can start dreaming about island hopping even without leaving these shores!