IN aid of building relations between the two regional countries, Courtleigh Group of Hotels and Fly Jamaica Airways have partnered to offer Guyanese, who would wish to visit Jamaica, a special all-inclusive package.Celia Steele, a representative of the Courtleigh Group of Hotels visited Guyana last week and met with travel agents to market the idea.
Speaking with this publication two nights ago, Steele explained that the package is not just to market Jamaica or the company which she represents.
She said the initiative aims to build and strengthen further, the relations between Guyana and Jamaica – two countries which she noted share a similar cultural heritage.
According to her, the price of the package is still being prepared and finalised. However, she assured this newspaper that it will be at a relatively cheap price when compared to other competitors.
But those who are interested in the deal, Steele said, would be required to stay at either Courtleigh Hotel, Knutsford Court, Jamaica Pegasus or Holiday Inn Resort, which is an all-inclusive offer in Montego Bay.
She reasoned that this gives Guyanese the opportunity to explore Jamaica, where they can visit the famous Bob Marley Museum and Devon House which was rated the fourth best place in the world by National Geographic to have ice-cream.
Numerous art galleries, museums, monuments and other cultural elements which the country has to offer, will be presented to Guyanese who seize this opportunity, the representative said, adding that after this, the tourists will be bussed down to Montego Bay where they can enjoy the sun, sand and sea which is often dreamt of.
Steele said her trip to Guyana was an amazing experience, as was the response from the Guyanese people. “It was an exciting trip and I got to learn a lot about Guyana and its culture” she said, adding that, “We [Guyana and Jamaica] are very similar in many ways.”
Additionally, she related that a presentation was done at the CARICOM Secretariat, where major players from Guyana who do business with Jamaica were facilitated. Forming part of this session too, was a fun activity where a lucky person won a weekend trip for two to Kingston, with their tickets being sponsored by Fly Jamaica.
“These sessions and interactions were great. I enjoyed the hospitality of the Guyanese people; it is similar to that of Jamaica,” Steele said.
The contributions of Fly Jamaica too in this regard were underscored.
Being the only Airline which offers flights directly to Kingston, Jamaica, Fly Jamaica has aided in business and cultural development between the two CARICOM countries. A traditional 10-15 hour flight was replaced by 3 ½ hours since the airline began offering services to Guyana.
Just recently, Fly Jamaica flew down a Jamaican athletic team to be part of the Boyce and Jefford Classic championships in Linden.
Additionally, the airline facilitated the Guyanese contingent which represented the country in Haiti at the recently concluded Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA), which was held in Haiti. Meanwhile, the airline continues to offer direct flights to and from Canada and the USA. (Ravin Singh)