Mashramani opens Guyana Tourism season

The Guyana Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce will unveil its 2013 tourism package with the arrival of more than 500 visitors to its Mashramani celebrations, which begins with a steel pan concert on Jan. 28 and continue with a variety of events scheduled all the way to Republic Day on Feb. 23.

One of the biggest events planned for this year is the country’s first Rum, Rhythm and Food Festival planned to begin the tourism season.

Minister Irfaan Ali thanked ministry staff recently for what he described as a fantastic job they had done in helping to unveil the first Christmas village in the heart of Georgetown’s Main Street area.

The politician expressed his gratitude for the success of the initiative, and credits President Donald Ramotar for placing emphasis on strengthening Guyanese family values in an approach to bring the nation together – a valuable asset for tourism.

The lights that festooned the busy walkway were a strong approach to honor Guyanese and promote tourism said the Minister who is encouraging visitors to Guyana to experience the beauty and culture of the South American nation.

“We are working with the private sector to plan big events said Ali, who named The VIP Catwalk, Fashion TV Show from abroad, that the ministry is in talks with to produce a similar show focusing on South America and the Caribbean.

In addition, the Tourism Ministry will unveil – River fishing that he said will showcase the best atmosphere and the best natural assets for the sport that are found in Guyana.

A Fusion of culture and the celebration of the country’s rich diverse heritage will also be on display as part of our tourism drive to accelerate arrivals to Guyana that is already being marketed in the Diaspora, the Caribbean and Brazil

These initiatives will help to develop “our own brand and tourism product, said Ali who called on the media “to work with us and put Guyana first” as the country build a strong product.

“There are challenges and things to be fixed but if we support each other and understand the role we have to play in the future. We will succeed he added.

He thanked Corporate partners Courts, and (GT&T) for being tremendously instrumental in tourism initiatives in 2012.

And according to GT News Online, representatives from ‘Adventure Life,’ Julia Dimon and Matthew Rutherford, a travel writer and a TV travel host have arrived in Guyana for the first time, to capture the essence of the destination and to connect with the people.

Dimon who has visited more than 80 countries across the globe, will speak of her experiences in Guyana when she appears on the New York Times Travel Show, and LA Times Travel Show, in the next two months.

Dimon has also secured a commitment from Outside TV (an extension of Outside Magazine) and the Travel Channel to feature Guyana. An MSNBC article is also in the works.

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Indranauth Haralsingh, praised the benefits of such exposure and noted the magnitude of the destination awareness that will be generated, according to the online publication.