DIRECTOR of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh has noted that Guyana is expecting a record amount of tourists’ arrivals for this year’s Christmas holidays.

He made this disclosure in an interview with the media yesterday at the GTA office, Sophia Exhibition site.
Haralsingh pointed out that despite the fact that the RedJet and EZJet Airlines are not operating, he is quite pleased to announce that Caribbean Airlines and Delta Airlines have decided to increase their flights to Guyana and are trying to add more flights for the upcoming holiday season.
He related that this is absolutely no worry for persons that will be arriving in Guyana, adding that Guyana is already 18 percent ahead of tourist arrivals in comparison to last year.
According to him, this year is bound to be the year when the tourists’ arrivals would break all records for this joyous holiday season.
He stated that this is so as a result of persons wanting to come to Guyana to spend Christmas, when many persons want to be around family and friends to share their joy and indulge in their local activities which they may not be permitted to do in their country. He further stated that one such activity is that of “drinking little rum on Christmas morning.”
Haralsingh described this as being the perfect “Creole Christmas” which a lot of Guyanese will be having and many tourists may want to be part of.
He noted that many of the visitors are actually Guyanese who migrated and have found the need to come home for the season.
Additionally, GTA will be spreading the holiday cheer and joy at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) beginning on December 22 to December 24, he noted.
According to him, the three days of welcoming visitors is very important for the tourists, whether they are from the Diaspora or just coming to celebrate the Christmas holidays in Guyana. He added that the staff of the GTA will be at the CJIA assisting in giving away Ginger beer and black cake among other gifts to the arriving tourists.
Books will also be given away to the children, Singh highlighted, noting that these activities are being done to make the tourists feel well received, as this is important in raising the profile of the CJIA and its hospitality.
He stressed that the importance of the visitors experiencing this unique kind of greeting, as they will always bear in mind that Guyana is there and ready to welcome persons home.
Haralsingh noted that this is being done in partnership with the Private Sector, which has been playing a tremendous role in assisting the GTA with their Christmas preparations.
He further stated that visitors to the country look forward to this period, as the attractions of the Masquerade Bands, the Caroling groups and drumming have great effect in their stay in Guyana as it is these very small joys persons choose to come and watch.