CAPTAIN Gerry Gouveia, of Roraima Group of Companies, yesterday, officialy launched its fifth annual Wedding Expo at Roraima Duke Lodge, in Kingston, Georgetown.

The 2013 event will commence on April 5 and conclude on April 7 and this year’s serves as a major milestone for his company, he said, emphasising the pleasure in hosting yet another year.
Speaking at a formal ceremony, Gouveia said it is a major promotion from which small businesses benefit.
He was highly appreciative of the fact that their corporate sponsor, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) has partnered with them, again, noting that the hallmark of the staging has been to the development of small businesses.
Disclosing that they have netted some 60 exhibitors this year, Gouveia advocated the need for legislative change to allow the promoting of wedding tourism. He said that there is the need to permit weddings to be hosted at some of Guyana’s most beautiful and historic sites like is done in several islands and States of the Caribbean.
Addressing the same gathering, Duke Lodge Marketing Manager, Ms. Shamain Davis said this year will also see them host an actual wedding on April 6 and the lucky couple will win an “all expenses paid” occasion made possible by her company and efforts of this year’s exhibitors.
Combined efforts
She said each exhibitor will contribute an item towards the wedding and, with the combined efforts, the company will give the winners a much anticipated ‘dream wedding’.
Roraima will soon commence the promotion that will facilitate couples intending to get married and a final five will be selected from which the lucky couple will be chosen. Advertisement on this will begin shortly, Davis indicated.
President of Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Clinton Urling, who also spoke on the occasion, said that the wedding expo is a permanent fixture on the tourism and economic calendar of Guyana.
He emphasised that it represents a tangible demonstration of Guyana’s Private Sector, noting that Guyana’s economy is fuelled significantly by the latter and he applauded both GT&T and the Roraima Group for initiating and promoting the event.
Acting Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Irfaan Ali observed that the expo is still in its budding stage but possesses tremendous potential.
He added that many other States have cemented their tourism product on weddings and planning, hinting that the wedding expo has lured persons from overseas to return here for marriage through its splendid promotion.
While revealing that the ministry is engaged in consultation on the issue of amending present laws to ensure wedding planning is further boosted as a tourism product, he was highly supportive of the move.
He said that GT&T has, indeed, played a vital role in the national economy and private sector and, as such, the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) is pleased to be associated with the telecommunications giant, because of its impact on society.
The Minister said that the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), working along with THAG, intends to have young planners receive special training to further push ‘wedding planning’ as a tourism product.
Ali said the Ministry recognises the Duke Lodge management as the “ground breakers” in this area as tourism is the aspect that shows signs of high success.
Wedding Expo 2013 will also showcase fashion displays by several designers that would bring to the fore apparel in several ethnic designs.