…300 Guyanese to be employed
…investor applauds Guyana’s stable economy

WITH respect to the US$54M Sun & Sands Hotel, President Donald Ramotar yesterday underscored that development of the hospitality and tourism sectors is inextricably linked to the planned expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). 

At the sod turning ceremony of the multimillion dollar five-star hotel at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, the President noted that Guyana’s tourism sector and its capacity to host high profile international events is not only

dependent on more investments such as the Sun & Sands Hotel, but to a larger extent on the development of airport facilities to handle such an influx of visitors. Mr. Ramotar observed that development of such infrastructure plays an integral role in societal and economic productivity as prospects are made for linking Guyana with the rest of the world, particularly high priority areas such as Europe, North America and Africa.
President Ramotar mounted a call for the maximisation of already existing facilities, such as the National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara, which has the capacity to host large sporting events, and the National Convention Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
He however recognised that these developments could only be capitalised on if there exists necessary hospitality infrastructure to host large influxes of visitors.
The Head of State affirmed that benefits emerging from the tourism sector would not only be evident in coastal regions, but more importantly the hinterland. “These kinds of investments have a nationwide impact… which will be changing the landscape… [And] skyline of our country,” he said.
Pointing to a newly envisaged approach of promoting community tourism, the President noted that such an undertaking would provide revenue for communities in the hinterland regions, and would pave the way for other communities to follow.

HOSPITALITY SECTOR
Director of the Sun and Sand Group of Companies, Mr. Bhushan Chandra, in his remarks, stated that the India-based company, under the flagship of Sun and Sand Group of Companies, has been involved in the housing and real estate sectors as well as township projects in India.
The 290,000 square foot hotel facility will have 163 rooms with a casino and restaurants, and will also include a commercial block and Club House of some 45,000 square feet. According to Chandra, the investment will see the creation of jobs for 300 Guyanese.
Citing Guyana’s investment potential, Chandra noted that “Guyana is an upcoming country that has a stable economy.” He similarly observed that as Guyana continues to grow economically, the demand for additional services, especially in the hospitality sector, will increase.
Set for completion in late 2016, the hotel will provide indirect benefits as it serves as a catalyst for the growing tourism sector through the transferral of knowledge and expertise which will be of substantial value to the Guyanese human resource pool.

AIRPORT FACILITIES NECESSARY
Commenting on the need for improved aviation facilities, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (Ag.), Mr. Irfaan Ali, lauded the CJIA expansion as critical to the international recognition by renowned airlines.
With the expected arrival of Panama-based COPA Airlines, Minister Ali noted that such a renowned airline would not invest in Guyana’s market unless they had foreseen the possibility of expansion with the potential that Guyana has to offer.
“That [willingness to invest] came because of the Government’s investment in expanding the [tourism] sector and in ensuring that we created the interest, the dynamism, and the environment in which these investments are being made,” Minister Ali commented.
While the political Opposition continues to set barriers against national infrastructure development, he bemoaned, “We [might] actually need to re-look at the design to cater for another 15 to 20 years with the level of investment we would be having in the sector.”
“These investments have indeed created a positive outlook for the sector… [And] are transforming the tourism and hospitality sector,” he added.

(By Derwayne Wills)