By Vahnu Manikchand

The sod was turned on Wednesday for the construction of a US$54 million (G$11.1 billion) five-star hotel at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
The Sun and Sand Hotel will add to the country’s tourism capacity, providing more accommodation to house the increasing influx of tourists. India-based Sun and Sand Group of Companies on Wednesday held a sod-turning ceremony at the hotel’s construction site. The Sun and Sand Hotel will include a casino, along with a commercial block and club house. It will contain 163 rooms and provide jobs for several hundred Guyanese.
The construction of the five-star hotel is expected to commence next month and last for approximately 18 months.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Donald Ramotar noted that with investments such as this hotel, the local tourism and hospitality sector will blossom and change the landscape of the country. He added that the fact that more international companies are investing in Guyana’s economy shows the potential the country has.
The Government is further looking to transform tourism in the interior in order to stimulate the sector there. “I envision that this investment will also stimulate more investments in the interior where we have tremendous tourist potential… most of the destinations in the interior goes to Kaieteur, but there are so many other beautiful places such as Orinduik,” he said.
