– visa waivers part of incentive package
BY MICHAEL YOUNGE
The government of Guyana and COPA Airlines have finally sealed a deal that will see the latter entering the local aviation industry, providing affordable airlift from Guyana to Panama commencing on July 11.
The international carrier is positioning itself to provide this service twice weekly after government took the bold decision to waiver the visa requirements to enter this country from Panama, Costa Rica and Peru. Additionally, the airline will also play a part in marketing ‘Destination Guyana’ as a major route in South America for persons desirous of travelling within shorter timeframes around the world.
Speaking at the event, COPA Airlines Vice President Sales Guillermo Gomez Wilches said the company considers this decision to enter the local market as one of its “most important achievements in 2014” thus far. He said in the world, COPA Airlines is recognised for its leadership and international connectivity, punctuality and quality of service, boasting one of the youngest and most modern fleet in the industry.
“It is the beginning of new opportunities for tourism, commerce and southern exchange between this beautiful country (Guyana) and the rest of the region. Guyana is a dream come through for us and a great achievement. Also with this decision, we expect to contribute significantly to the development of the local Guyanese industry and to provide Guyanese with the safest possible travel to all destinations,” he remarked at a simple ceremony held at the International Convention Centre, Lilendaal, Greater Georgetown.
The COPA vice president for sales also expressed excitement that Guyana has now become the airline’s 68th destination and 30th country that it travels to, noting that there are plans to further develop the Guyana to Panama route later in the current arrangement.
Meanwhile, acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali lauded the airline for its decision to partner with Guyana as he appeared upbeat about the potential of the new business decision made to have positive socio-economic benefits for the people of Guyana.
He did not fail to point out the importance of the private sector as he alluded to the whopping Gy$35 billion in investments already made, positing that the growth of the sector depended on more than the Marriott and the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
“It is my hope that the incentive and fiscal regime surrounding tourism in Guyana will be modernised to reflect the confidence the private sector is placing on tourism, and to reflect the changes that are necessary in the policy framework to position it at a place where tourism is a centre piece for development,” he told the gathering.
Cognisant of benefits
Addressing the overtures made in this respect, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett spoke of the ties established with Argentina and Mexico through the establishment of embassies here. She admitted that government was cognisant of the potential trade, tourism and commerce benefits that could flow from Panama as well, as she welcomed COPA Airlines.
As expected, she reflected on how the agreement came into fruition with COPA Airlines, but not before laying her major announcement bare before the audience that Guyana “reached out to the airline and tried to woo them” to come here.
At this point, Rodrigues-Birkett announced that several steps were taken during the negotiation to encourage COPA to ply the Guyana to Panama route.
“One has to do with visa waiver arrangements. I think that as a small country like Guyana with just 16 missions abroad, we don’t have the resources to be issuing visas if we are going to encourage people from countries where we don’t have missions to visit Guyana.”
Citizens of Peru, Panama and Costa Rica are now able to spend up to 90 days here without a visa, which is part of what the minister said was a plan by her ministry to have reciprocal visa arrangements with all South American countries.
Shorter timeframes
Guyanese will also have the opportunity to access a wide range of connecting flights to the U.S., Canada and UK through COPA Airlines at shorter timeframes.
Present at the ceremony to launch the new route were Private Sector Commission Chairman Ronald Webster, Guyana Tourism and Hospitality Association President Kit Nascimento, Georgetown Chambers of Commerce President Clinton Urling and several tourism and aviation stakeholders.
