CLOSE to 100 members of the Cort family arrived in Guyana on Sunday morning as the recently launched “Re- discover Home’ initiative takes root.
Excited and exhausted, the group touched down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) amidst a flurry of hugs and hellos when many met their kin for the very first time, as their family reunion began.
Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh, greeted the guests as they disembarked the aircraft, and welcomed them to our shores, particularly those coming for the first time.
According to Haralsingh, the fact that such a large group arrived all at once augurs well for the success of the ‘Re-discover Home’ promotion, which was designed to woo Guyanese in the diaspora back home, and to boost tourist arrivals.
“We are targeting overseas-based Guyanese directly, to come home to rediscover and enjoy their home. We can already see — from this large group that has arrived — the success of this initiative. More Guyanese are returning home to rediscover their roots, heritage, and most importantly, to reconnect with their families,” he explained.
The Cort contingent was welcomed by their Guyanese relative, Mr. LeRoy Cort, who was also reunited with his daughter Karen after 41 years.
“This is the first time that I am in Guyana, and I am looking forward to seeing everybody. It took years of planning, but we are all here, and (are) excited to experience the country,” Karen said.
Meanwhile, coordinator of the trip, Pauline, breathed a sigh of relief as the party cleared customs.
As to the magnitude of preparation for the reunion, she said, “I am so excited that we are finally here. For two years, we have coordinated, and it even took several trips back home to get everything set for this reunion. Everyone is excited to see more of Guyana and their family.”
For those arriving in Guyana for the first time, anticipation abounds as the fog-covered horizon holds promises of new discoveries interspersed with possibilities of rekindling old family ties.
“I’m excited to be here. I expect to see more of the country where my parents came from. I am especially interested in eating the foods. I don’t care what it is, just cook me some Guyanese food and I’ll eat it,” 21-year-old Dominique explained as she prepared to board the bus to the hotel where they are staying.
The family will be staying at the Grand Coastal Inn for the duration of their stay, and will also be participating in a series of trips to the city and to historical sites and nature destinations, including Splashmins, Arrow Point and Kaieteur Falls.