THE Ministry of Tourism has given an update on developments in the tourism sector in terms of aviation activity, accommodation, and arrivals.

Speaking at a press briefing, Indranauth Haralsingh, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), related that recently there were additions to the airline industry, namely TravelSpan, Insel Air, Dynamic Airways and COPA.

He said, “Increasing airlift means increasing access to destination Guyana…. Increasing tourist arrivals will bring more foreign currency into our economy. More visitors mean higher occupancy rates (at hotels); and overall, this will lead to a number of other opportunities for our country.”

He explained that, with the Guyana Festival and the CPL (Caribbean Premier League) approaching, it is expected that both the accommodation and arrival industries will benefit from an increase in visitors.

Haralsingh also noted that the airlines that have recently come on board will be able to assist especially the agriculture sector with exports, because their wide-body structure can accommodate a greater volume of cargo.

“These airlines will also allow for more export and better cargo facilities, and this will assist the growth of the economy and the growth of the tourism sector also.”

Haralsingh also emphasised that since the arrival of these recent airlines, the seating capacity has doubled, and the travelling public has been given more choices, better fares and better services.

Haralsingh restated: “The Marriott, Hospitality Institute and the airport expansion are all on stream.”

Speaking briefly on behalf of the Roraima Group of Companies, Mitra Ramkumar echoed the words of the Director of GTA, and emphasised the need for the “new and improved airport.” He referred to a recent experience with Insel Air on its inaugural flight to Guyana, when “passengers were drenched in the rain on arriving in Guyana;” and he said that “for a Guyanese, I was ashamed.”

Vanita Jagnarain, General Manager of TravelSpan, related that her airline is happy that “our fourteen FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) trained flight attendants are back in Guyana, and we will now proceed with our all-Guyanese cabin crew.”

She also indicated that the seats on TravelSpan are almost fully booked for July and August, even with additional flights that were added to specifically offset the summer traffic.

Fly Jamaica and Suriname Airways also echoed the same sentiments, and have indicated that they are seeing an increase in their occupied seating. Suriname Airways, however, stated that they are the only airline with direct flights to Miami, and they pointed out only that Fly Jamaica only recently acquired ownership of their aircraft.

Speaking also were representatives from the Princess Hotel Guyana and Park Vue Guyana, who related that they are more than 50% booked; and they anticipate that with the upcoming events, more bookings will follow.
Written By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally