THE arrival of cruise liners to Guyana is being promoted by the Ministry of Tourism to advance the local tourism sector, according to Director General of the Ministry, Donald Sinclair.Following a tour of the international cruise ship the Noble Caledonia, which docked in Port Georgetown on Monday, Sinclair told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that these “cruise visits are becoming more routinised.”

The Noble Caledonia docked at the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) wharf with 88 passengers. Sixty (60) of them visited the Kaieteur Falls, and the remainder undertook a tour of Georgetown. The vessel, whose arrival was facilitated by Wilderness Explorers, departs Guyana this evening for Suriname. It is also expected to dock in French Guiana.

While Sinclair admitted that Guyana is not benefiting from a lot of cruise ships, he expressed: “Our hope is to expand the space for cruise visits as part of our tourism product. Smaller vessels are being anticipated, as the tourists/passengers will be provided with customised experiences during their stay in Guyana.”

Meanwhile, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh, who also toured the vessel, pointed out that there has been an increase in the number of cruise liners in the country.

Haralsingh told GINA: “Most of the passengers on the ship…come ashore. With a cleaned up city and so many dramatic improvements, I think that the message that will be going out is that, hey, this is a great, fascinating and very friendly, warm hospitable place to visit.”

In December 2015, cruise ship the Minerva visited Guyana.

The presence of these cruise liners in Guyana’s waters will not only give those on board the opportunity to experience the country’s beauty, cuisine and culture, but advertises Guyana as a destination worthy of re-visiting. Guyanese will also benefit from the opportunity to showcase its products and services to a wider market. (GINA)