By Michel Outridge

THIS week the Pepperpot went on a familiarisation tour of Adel’s Rainforest Resort, Akawini Creek, Pomeroon River, courtesy of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and Adel’s Rainforest Resort.

On this journey we met a lot of people, some of whom shared their stories with us. One of those persons is Zena Bone. Bone, an overseas-based Guyanese, is the owner of Adel’s and has invested a lot to promote agricultural tourism and tourism through her resort and her ‘farm-to- table’ concept.

Adel’s Rainforest Resort sits on six acres of land which is covered in citrus and other plants and is home to many species of birds and animals.

The plantation is protected by Bone’s three dogs and is considered a safe and ideal location for a getaway, family outing, or for a few nights away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Adel’s Rainforest Resort has been in the family for about 145 years but the land sat dormant for 45 years, before Bone inherited it from her grandmother, Adel.

“I thought of coming here when I had a hotel in Barbados, The Golden Sands Hotel with 27 apartments. When I saw the decline of tourism in Barbados I had the idea of eco-tourism and agriculture tourism in Guyana; so I happened to go to a meeting and sat with “Butch” Stuart, who owns the Sandals chain of hotels in the Caribbean and we talked about it for me to sell my hotel and come into this business,” she said.

Bone added that she returned to her homeland Guyana, began clearing the forested land and constructed Adel’s Rainforest Resort; but unfortunately, she had to return to the U.S. for a few years.

“I thought of leasing then I went into the arrangement of splitting profits with an English lady which was a disaster. So after two and a half years looking at the venture I called an end to it and came back into the business. So there was a time when you heard Adel’s was going down and it bothered me terribly; and it either was to sell, which I couldn’t because I couldn’t answer to my superiors when I get on the ‘other side,’ since the land has been in the family for 145 years. How could I take it out of the family? Hence, I am here,” she said.

Trusted team

Bone told the Pepperpot Magazine that it takes a lot of hard work and good people to run a successful business such as Adel’s Rainforest Resort; and she is very happy to have good, honest people to overlook her business when she is overseas.

She stated that from March to date she couldn’t have done it without her staff. They worked endlessly and she is very grateful to them because she sees them as partners and not just regular employees.

“Anybody can come here, be it with family, or for a quiet weekend getaway or even a function; and we have everything freshly prepared and our foods are 100 per cent organic and wholesome, so you know you are getting quality foods and matching service for an affordable price of $20,000 with meals, transportation from Charity to the Resort and back and accommodation for overnight,” Bone said.

Bone explained that she treats the locals just as the tourists and welcomes all at her resort for a therapeutic experience that can soothe the soul and “recharge your batteries.”

Although the resort sits on only six acres of land, the plantation runs up to 250 acres up the Akawini Creek and she is considering leasing the land for farming in promotion of agricultural tourism.

Apart from the resort, Bone has farmlands at Grant Enterprise, Pomeroon River, and has leased that plantation to locals, who has a thriving business.

On that estate, they have the family house, where she would stay from time to time.

Adel’s’ Rainforest Resort can accommodate up to 20 persons overnight and they have activities such as fishing, night-spotting, bird-watching, swimming and nature walks on the grounds of the resort, where they have produce of citrus, ground provisions and fruits, among others.