THE Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Friday came alive with vibrant colours, rhythmic music, and the sweet aroma of local delicacies as the facility joined forces with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) to welcome passengers arriving for the Festival of Lights, Diwali.

Incoming passengers from New York were greeted with a cultural display featuring traditional Indian dances, festive songs, and symbolic gift bags, capturing the essence of Guyana’s multicultural spirit.

The gesture, coordinated by CJIA and GTA staff, set a warm tone of celebration as passengers, some returning home, others visiting for the first time stepped into the country.

Each passenger received a goodie bag containing a diya and local sweet treats such as mithai, barfi and peera, along with a refreshing serving of local fruit juice.

The initiative, officials explained, was part of ongoing efforts to share Guyana’s culture and hospitality with the world.

GTA’s Senior Tourism Events Officer, Shellon Nichloas, underscored that similar activations are mounted around major national holidays to share Guyana’s food, music and culture with visitors and returning residents.

The intention is to offer an immediate “taste of Guyana” and set a welcoming tone from the moment of arrival.

Meanwhile, CJIA’s Public Relations Officer, Shunza Samuels, noted that the airport targets all major holidays to elevate “Brand Guyana” and position the destination as warm, organised and culturally rich.

The Diwali welcome, planned as a surprise, was framed as part of a wider push to market Guyana as the premier tourism destination in the region through authentic, people-centred experiences executed in partnership with public agencies and private collaborators.

Passengers responded positively to the activation and readily accepted the gifts, signalling strong receptivity to culture-forward hospitality.

Diwali will be celebrated nationwide on Monday as a public holiday. Across Guyana, families will light diyas to symbolise the triumph of good over evil, with homes, communities and places of worship illuminated to mark the occasion.