Haralsingh says GTA expects record December arrivals
THERE is no destabilisation in Guyana as a result of recent street protests. In fact, it is business as usual for most in the tourism industry.
Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh made this declaration yesterday, during a media briefing in his Sophia, Georgetown office, where he refuted statements published in a Kaieteur News Article of December 11, captioned ‘Election Tension adversely affects Guyana’s Tourism Sector’.
According to Haralsingh, the views expressed by Mr. Kit Nascimento in the publication are, in no way representative of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) nor the private sector tourism industry.
He stated: “Mr. Nascimento is not a spokesperson for THAG…the article is inaccurate and misleading and paints a negative and dismal picture of tourism in Guyana … it’s business as usual at the Pegasus, Princess, Residence Inn, Grand Coastal Inn, Cara Lodge and the Herdmanston Lodge, to name a few.” 
The GTA Director reported that, whilst there may have been a few cancellations at hotels and resorts, arrivals to the country increased by 2.4 percent in November this year, as compared to the same period last year.
“Last year was a record year, having received approximately 152,000 visitors. We are very optimistic that arrivals for December will surpass that of 2010 and that we will surpass last year’s record,” he posited.
In addition, Haralsingh noted that airlift and seat capacity to Guyana  will almost double from December 15, as REDjet now has two flights daily and another on Thursdays; Delta Airlines will be flying  every day  instead of three days weekly; Caribbean Airlines will also schedule more  flights out of Guyana, and the new carrier, EZjet is slated to commence flights from December 25, from New York.
He said: “It is clear that more visitors are coming to Guyana. Why they are not staying at certain resorts and hotels is a question for the private sector operators.”
In this regard, Haralsingh suggested that private sector operators need to examine their cost structure and price competitiveness, as well as the effectiveness and efficiency of their marketing and promotional activities, in efforts to attract more visitors to their businesses.
He said: “Guyana is more perceived as an expensive than a dangerous destination. We have to understand our tourism product is a low volume, high value product, and to promote it as unique and differentiated to obtain a competitive advantage requires special marketing skills, going after the right target market segment. Our operators need to focus on that.”
Haralsingh pledged that GTA will continue to fulfil its mandate of ensuring that the industry remains viable and sustainable.