– GTA Haralsingh
GUYANA is now doing well in terms of tourism being propelled into the international spotlight, as more cruise ships choose this country as a port of call every year, according to the Director of Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh. With its unique product of eco and adventure-based tourism, it has the potential to surpass all expectations, he said, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle.
He spoke about the advantages of the increase in arrivals of cruise vessels, as the first for the year, the Vista Mar docked on Sunday.
“The cruise ship industry has great potential to further propel the country’s tourism sector and, for this reason, we are encouraging more operators to work closely with us so that we can realise the full potential of this,” Haralsingh posited.
He emphasised the need for closer collaboration among the stakeholders in the sector and lauded those, such as the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Customs and Immigration, Wilderness Explorers and Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC), among others, which have, significantly, contributed to the successful dockings, so far.
Haralsingh said, this year, GTA is planning to attend more international travel and trade shows, to be able to secure increased arrivals of the ships.
“We can interact with the key players in the industry and be able to market the country,” he observed, stating that, when that happens, more local businesses will benefit from the prospects and expand their operations.
Meanwhile, Wilderness Explorers Manager Teri O’Brien acknowledged that jobs will be created as more ships arrive in the country.
“What it does is create jobs. We strive to get more ships to come in, because, in the process of us handing ships, we have to ensure that guides are trained and that people are available. Last year, we started training guides in collaboration with GTA for the arrival of ‘Saga Pearl’,” she mentioned.
O’Brien noted, too, that continuing visits by the cruisers will serve to improve Guyana’s recognition, internally, as the ideal tourist destination in South America and the Caribbean.
Internationally-known cruiseliner Vista Mar arrived at the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) wharf with about 200 passengers and 103 crew and Haralsingh, O’Brien and the media were there to welcome the visitors.
Other cruise ships that visited Guyana include the Saga Pearl, Clelia 2, m.v. Spirit of Adventure, Clipper Adventurer, Minerva 2 and the m.v. Hanseatic.