Tourist arrivals in Guyana set to reach new high this year

By Sabatini Daniels –

The number of tourists visiting Guyana this year is expected to reach a new high as the country is set to top the 34-member Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) in tourist arrivals for 2013.
This is according to Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh, who said Guyana is expecting to see a 20 per cent increase in tourist arrivals in the country this year.
This is attributed to the fact that starting this year, the GTA will commence collecting data on arrivals from the various points of entry into the country and not primarily at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). The other points include the Ogle International Airport, Lethem, Moleson Creek and Bartica.

In 2013 thus far, visitor arrivals have increased by 8.9 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. Haralsingh noted in March, there was a 33 per cent increase in arrivals from last year.
“Approximately 18,340 visitors came into the country for this month compared to 13,794 in 2012.”
He said Guyana is expected to again lead the 34-member Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) in terms of percentage increase in arrivals, adding that thus far, Guyana is ahead of the other countries in the grouping.
The United States is currently leading in tourist arrivals to Guyana, followed by Canada, the Caribbean and Europe.
Haralsingh emphasised that often people do not recognise the key impact that increased tourist arrivals have on the country and the economy, underscoring that it means the creation of more job opportunities, foreign investment, expenditure and revenue flow.
“This is healthy for any economy and it is a good thing that the tourist arrivals in Guyana is growing.”
Meanwhile, the GTA director expressed disappointment over the CJIA project cut, explaining that the upgrade of the airport would have a greater impact on the country’s tourism sector.
He said the airport is the driver for economic and tourism development and is also the foundation for tourism expansion and connectivity to other parts of world.

“Airports and air transport [are] at the very heart of travel and tourism.”
The CJIA project is a transformational initiative which is part of Guyana’s strategic vision and priority for tourism, he stated.
“We see the CJIA airport project as being a catalyst for tourism development in Guyana, it is one of the most significant investments for tourism as a whole as well.”
Haralsingh explained that this is so since the airport will provide accessibility essential for a modern economy. He noted that the country inhabits a strategic location in South America, highlighting that the CJIA transformation will serve as a major hub for regional and international air transport linkages, as it will help Guyana to attract many other international carriers since the runway would be expanded and improved and the facilities would be updated to meet world-class standards.