By Feona Morrison

ELITE Kayaking and Nature Tours in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), on Saturday unveiled an experimental tourism product designed to showcase the natural beauty of the mining town of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

This innovative initiative aims to attract eco-conscious travellers and adventure enthusiasts seeking unique, and immersive experiences in the Kara Kara Blue Lake.
Deon Anderson, the proprietor of Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours, emphasised that his business strives to provide people with the best experiences that Linden has to offer.

“Linden is a well-known [location] throughout Guyana for lots of ecotourism, lots of bauxite mining, and of course, the beautiful people. It has all the necessary ingredients to make beautiful products with regards [sic] to tourism, and especially when it comes to our waters or waterways. It’s definitely the prime location to be,” Anderson said.

He mentioned that this new service was made possible by a product-development grant from the GTA in 2023. According to him, there are skilled and trained lifeguards certified by the GTA to ensure a safe and professional experience.

The launch of this experimental product is part of the GTA’s broader strategy to establish Guyana as a premier destination for sustainable and adventure tourism. Candace Phillips,the GTA’s Product Development Manager, highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating, “Region 10 is one of the priority regions for tourism development. This is just one step toward achieving that dream.”

She noted that Elite’s kayaking tours have gained significant popularity on social media, with many participants sharing breathtaking photographs of their experiences.

She reaffirmed GTA’s commitment to tourism development in Region 10 and expressed satisfaction in partnering with Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours for product diversification.
“So, from the product development side, it’s not only about developing products; it’s also adding to the diversity, adding new complements so that in each successive year, you can have new experiences being offered,” Phillips explained.

During the launch event, media representatives had the opportunity to kayak and paddleboard across one of the blue lakes.

Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours, which started operations in 2020, has since expanded its offerings to include tubing and jet skiing. For more information or to book an adventure with Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours, visit their Facebook page.