THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has revealed that visitors to Guyana from Suriname account for 14% of all tourists annually.

The Authority recently met with a group of tourists from Suriname who had come to Guyana for a mini vacation. GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh explained that many tourists take advantage of the school recess during the months of August and September to come to Guyana for a mini vacation. This, he noted, is the peak travel time for those tourists.

“Approximately 960 persons travel weekly during this peak period”, he said, noting that while many come to Guyana to enjoy the shopping and simple luxuries, some persons come to seek the possibility of opening up businesses here in Guyana. “Some persons come to seek business opportunities and to seek to collaborate with existing businesses,” he declared.

He also highlighted that many businesses stand to benefit from this influx of tourists from Suriname. “Businesses in Guyana benefit tremendously from (this influx of tourists) — the hotels, restaurants, shopping complexes, Splashmins among others — all derive revenue from the increase in travel.”

The Guyana Tourism Authority will, in the month of October, facilitate a Conversational Dutch Language Training Programme at Moleson Creek as part of its plan to improve communication at the border crossing. (Rebecca Ganesh)