Fifth ‘Wedding Expo’ launched

This year the government will set out to revise the legislation which governs weddings in Guyana, a move aimed at promoting wedding tourism in the country.
Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali made this announcement at the launching of the fifth annual ‘Wedding Expo’, at Duke Lodge, on Monday. The minister stated that one of the major setbacks remains the outdated legislation overriding the time in which one can be registered and licenced to get marry.
“We are looking to engage the attorney general in looking at the legislation as against what is the norm throughout the region and to have the recommended changes done in the shortest time frame and we are looking for this to be done before the end of this year,” Ali said. He posited that Guyana’s tourism product portfolio needs to be diversified and that weddings can play a key role in doing so. He explained that Guyana can capitalise on numerous venues and infrastructure, as well as the large diaspora overseas who spend large sums on weddings.
The minister stated that though the Wedding Expo is in its budding phase, it has immense potential to contribute to the tourism product in the country. The tourism minister recognised the impact the event has on the economy. He disclosed that the Tourism Ministry, the Guyana Tourism Authority and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana will work with the Wedding Expo Committee to train persons to become professional event planners.
Meanwhile, Roraima Airways Chief Executive Officer Captain Gerry Gouveia noted that Wedding Expo is seeking to promote wedding tourism in the country. He stated that there is a need for Guyana to be marketed as a wedding destination, and that this is not being done. Gouveia said the changing of the legislation is important to ensure the country is user-friendly to people who want to come to the country to get married, rather than going to a different country. He highlighted that this year the Wedding Expo will be bigger and better.
Georgetown Chambers of Commerce President Clinton Urling, who was also present at the launch, stated that Wedding Expo is not only contributing to the economy, but to the overall social development of the country.
Couples have been invited to apply for the “Race to the Altar” to be selected as the lucky wedding couple to have a sponsored wedding at wedding expo on April 6. Applications will be closed on February 7.
This year, persons will have to pay an entrance fee of Gy$500 to attend the event. The Wedding Expo will be held from April5 to 7, at Duke Lodge.