Guyana has potential to dominate Caribbean’s tourism sector – Ali

– EZjet makes inaugural Guyana -Toronto flight

By: Melinda Bishundyal

EZjet Air Services Incorporated inaugural flight to Toronto, Canada, took off Tuesday afternoon from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with some 98 passengers.
The flight was launched after a formal ceremony in the airport’s executive lounge. The Boeing 767-200 series aircraft has 218 seats.  A return ticket to Canada costs US$650, while a one way ticket costs US$375.
EZjet started its service to New York on December 16 last year. Since then, it has flown 300 flights in 3600 hours, and transported 31,000 passengers to and from Guyana.
Owner of the aircraft Sonny Ramdeo said he is excited about the new undertaking, and aims to make Guyana a tourism destination through his service. He pointed out that EZjet has set a high standard of services, and he has every intention to maintain and possibly raise it.
Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali stated that discussions surrounding direct flights to and from Canada started months ago, and he is pleased that it has materialised. He claimed that the Tourism Ministry fully supports such a venture as it will help to boost the tourism industry, and open up great potential.
“This will allow us to compete strategically with other markets in the Caribbean that attract potential tourists,” said the minister. “The average growth in the airline industry projects four to five per cent annually over the next 15 years. And the traffic in Latin American and Caribbean islands is expected to triple by 2030,” Ali added.
He further challenged EZjet to invest in an aircraft that will provide direct flights to Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados and back.  The minister claimed that whilst the government is happy about EZjet’s moment, it continues to aggressively seek after other airlines. The airlines include Jet Blue, Virgin Atlantic, West Jet of Canada, Wings

Aviation Flight Jamaica and British Airways. According to him, Guyana has the potential to dominate the tourism sector in the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Robeson Benn lauded Ramdeo for seeing it fitting to return to his country of birth and provide a service that will develop Guyana through tourism.
He added that the low fares are a blessing to Guyanese who could not afford travelling to the north in the past. He also praised the quality of service the airline offers.