GUYANA is well positioned to become the entertainment capital of the region. This view was expressed by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond, during an address to revellers at the recent Rodeo 2022 at Lethem, Region Nine.

At no time in the country’s history were there such a hive of sporting and entertainment activities as is currently the case. Entertainment spots are literally overflowing with people and the mood of festivity is evident everywhere; in the smiling faces of Guyanese and the laughter of children and young people.

This new culture of festivity is the result of several factors, not least of which has been the relaxation of the COVID-19 restrictions which has over the past two years limited outdoor activities. The entertainment industry was severely affected as most entertainment places were forced to operate in a restricted manner or close shop altogether. Many jobs were lost as a result of the pandemic.

All of that has now changed and people are again free to carry on their social lives uninhibited by the COVID-19 restrictions. This is indeed a breath of fresh air and even though we are not completely out of the woods as far as the virus is concerned, there is no question that the incidence of viral infections in Guyana has dipped significantly, thanks to the robust and proactive measures taken by the PPP/C administration to vaccinate a critical mass of Guyanese against the virus.

And according to President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali who also spoke at the Rodeo, the Rupununi Rodeo is a major national event and together with neighbouring Brazil with its huge population could catapult the sport into a global sporting activity. He assured Guyanese that sports and entertainment are high on the agenda of the PPP/C Government. The infrastructure of sports and tourism, President Ali said, will be strengthened and training programmes will be done in areas such as hospitality, event management and culinary skills with a view to making the industry more competitive.

Only recently, President Ali launched the hosting of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) matches in Guyana, which will commence in August this year. For the first time since the commencement of the CPL games, described as ‘the biggest party in sport,’ Guyana will be the venue for both the semi-finals and the final match. This will certainly be a great boost not only for cricket in the country, but will also give the local economy a lift.

Guyana is certainly going places and sports and entertainment are certainly high on the national agenda. The infrastructure is already responding well to these new developments with the construction of new top-class hotels, transportation and other logistical support and more strategic interventions in terms of public security.

One interesting development is diversification of the tourism package to accommodate the varied interests of visitors. The Regatta in Bartica, Rodeo in Lethem, the Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls in Region Eight with its beautiful mountain ranges in Kato and Monkey Mountain, all come together to create that Magnificent Province for which the country is internationally famous.

We are a blessed country with a rich diversity of flora and fauna and a vast rainforest cover which make us a natural tourist and entertainment destination. It is for us now to market our tourism and entertainment product to our advantage; this is exactly what the PPP/C administration is doing as it seeks to create a better life for all Guyanese.