— villagers lament poor roads, inadequate water facilities, & absence of landline telephone service
THE REGION 10 community of Coomacka, located some seven miles East of Linden, hosted its first ever village festival from June 30 to July 1, and this activity was deemed a success.
This inaugural event was hosted by Livewire Productions, headed by Promoter Andrew Mc Bean, and was endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA). Its aim was to promote community-based tourism.
The two-day outdoor camping activity held at the Coomacka Community Centre Ground, basically sought to increase awareness of this unique and scenic village, while generating income and opportunities for the community, which is home to approximately 3,000 persons. The village of Coomacka boasts a number of nature attractions, including white sand beaches, blue lakes, mountains and springs.
Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali had stated at the launching of the Coomacka Festival last month that this event should entice coastlanders to visit Coomacka, an area that blends a combination of tourism products.
Minister Ali also said that branding and promoting camping activities is the next avenue the Ministry will be exploring as it invites Guyanese at home and abroad to “Rediscover Guyana” — a new campaign the ministry has recently launched.
He lauded the Livewire Productions Group for the initiative, and expressed hope that groups in other communities would follow in their footsteps and work to develop community-based tourism.
Coomacka Weekend plays an important role in advancing the national tourism product and falls into the overall framework of the Government’s advancing of community-based tourism.
This particular event attracted approximately 400 persons from across Guyana, and had quite a number of booths displaying various items found and/or made in Coomacka Village.
Highlights of the two-day event included sporting activities, river tours, craft and pictorial exhibitions, fishing exhibitions and a fashion show.
Persons paid a fee of $2500 for a camping spot, and for those persons who wanted to be a part of the activities on the weekend without camping out, Livewire had made arrangements for accommodation.
The event was graced by various staff members of the Guyana Tourism Authority, including Director Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh.
The major sponsors of the festival were Digicel and Banks DIH.
Several residents of Coomacka Village spoke to this publication, giving their respective view on how various amenities in the area could be improved so as to provide better a livelihood for them.
Mr. Burt Land, Fashion designer Camille Oselmo, and Mrs. Lillian DeClou, who have all lived in the village for over 25 years, said the village could be better improved by having better roadways and water facilities; and that villagers would be more than happy to be accorded landline telephones.