‘Now’s the best time to invest in tourism sector’

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar tried his hand at a spot of marketing Wednesday evening when he urged prospective investors to seize the opportunity to invest in Guyana’s fledgling tourism industry now that it is beginning to turn a profit.“It is an exciting time for the industry; tourism has a great future, and will contribute in a major way to the economy,” he told invitees to a stakeholders’ reception at the Palm Court Restaurant on downtown Main Street.
Noting that both Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, and Tourism Minister, Mr. Irfaan Ali have been tasked with putting up affordable proposals to help grow the sector at a more rapid pace, President Ramotar said that with

tourism being looked at in a Regional framework, the government has been investing heavily on improving infrastructure so as to attract even more overseas visitors.
Two cases in point, he said, were the Guyana National Stadium and the Guyana International Conference Centre, both of which are attracting thousands of people and hosting major international events.
As for the Marriott Hotel, currently under construction, President Ramotar said that once completed and opened as promised in August, it will not only offer five-star accommodation, but also several high-quality facilities.
He also referred to the proposed expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, which, when completed, will see Guyana being poised to be a major hub for South America.
Minister Ali, in turn, called for closer communication and collaboration among stakeholders in the tourism sector, which will redound to the benefit all eventually. He also expressed confidence in the sector’s growth for 2014.
“2014 should be the year of tourism, and it has the capacity to contribute substantially to the economy,” he said, adding that critical thinking is necessary if the “rising sector” is to move forward.
Among those present at the function was Sales Manager of the Panamanian-based Copa Airlines, Mr. Guillermo Gomez, who earlier in the day announced that his company will begin servicing Guyana as of July.
Gomez said that with Copa seeing cornering the Guyana route as its top achievement for 2014, it will have no qualms about contributing substantially to the development of the local tourism sector.
Also speaking briefly and welcoming Copa to the local aviation sector were CPL’s Mr. Peter Russell, who outlined the impact that the series will have locally and regionally; Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana President, Mr. Kit Nascimento; Mahendra Bhoodoo of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club; and Mr. Harrynand Persaud of King’s Jewellery World.