HUNDREDS of visitors arriving in Guyana were Sunday treated to a special ‘Arrival Day welcome’ at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

Passengers who arrived on Caribbean Airlines from The  United States, Canada, and Trinidad were greeted by staff dressed in traditional Indian attire, and a taste of traditional East Indian cuisine and sweetmeats. The exercise was a collaborative effort among  the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the management of CJIA. Super-Hit Bollywood Playback Singers Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan, along with the band members and other regional artistes and dancers, were also welcomed at the airport.Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority,Indranauth Haralsingh, said that Guyana is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural country, second to none in the world, with a breathtaking landscape of lush rainforests and amazing wildlife.In this regard, he urged that persons visiting  use the opportunity to explore and be part of this unique fusion as the country celebrates the 175th anniversary of Indians’ arrival in Guyana. He said that Arrival Day is a very important occasion for Guyana, and “It is a time when we should reflect on our history, where we came from, and further consolidate and work as one people to build the nation we call home.”
The exercise is part of a number of welcoming activities for the various festivals and events in Guyana, including Christmas, Deepavali, Mashramani and Phagwah.