TOURIST arrivals here continue to show a positive trend despite the global economic downturn and decline of tourism in the Caribbean, Minister of Tourism, Mr. Manniram Prashad reported yesterday.

Speaking to the media at a press briefing at his South Road, Georgetown office, he said there was just over a 20 per cent increase in arrivals in July, pushing up the number to an 11.4 per cent increase at the end of last month, when compared with the same period in 2008.

Compared to 2008, in January there was a seven per cent rise, and 21.8 per cent increase in February, a 5.8 per cent decline in March, an 11.5 per cent increase in April, 7.7 per cent in May increase, an 18.8 per cent increase in June, and up to just over 20 per cent in July.

Minister Prashad observed that this increase is coming against a backdrop of a decline in tourist arrivals in the entire Caribbean.

He noted that there has been as much as a 30 per cent decline in tourists’ arrivals in some of the Caribbean countries, which means significant losses in jobs and a severe dent in the economy since most of these countries depend heavily on tourism.

He pointed out that most of the Caribbean islands tourism products are sun, sand and sea. But in Guyana, tourists enjoy adventure, nature and eco-tourism, including birding watching which has been gaining momentum.

He dispelled some contention that most of the arrivals are Guyanese coming home on holiday, explaining that many arrivals Canadian, American and European tourists. He said this positive trend can be attributed to Guyana’s aggressive marketing strategy which has been taken overseas, and also to the country being featured in various international travel magazines and shows such as the BBC three part series – the Lost Land of the Jaguar which gave ‘Destination Guyana a tremendous boost.

He also referred to Guyana’s attendance at the World Travel Market in London, the International Trade Bourst (ITB) in Germany, and also the CTO meeting and promotion in Washington this year.

“We also highlighted our tourism products during the Guyana Independence celebrations in Toronto in June, and also in Miami recently, where I met with airline representatives and members of the CTO Chapter in South Florida,” he told reporters.

Also, he said coming out of that meeting, is a familiarisation (FAM) tour of tour operators from South Florida which will be coming to Guyana within the next six weeks, in collaboration with Caribbean Airlines and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

“Our birding programme has improved and has taken off significantly in terms of the amount of people coming into the country to do birding,” he stated.

Minister Prashad observed that Guyana attracts a significant amount of tourists from Europe because of what it offers.

“Our competitors basically are Costa Rica and Belize”, he said.

The Minister disclosed that all flights coming into Guyana for the summer season are fully booked, even with additional flights being added.