MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad yesterday met representatives of tour operations, hotels and airlines to discuss ways in which they can work together to create special packages for tourists during the tenth Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (Carifesta X) which will be hosted in Guyana from August 22-31 under the theme ‘One Caribbean, One Purpose - Our Culture, Our Life’.
The group met with Prashad at his South Road, Georgetown office.
He noted that his Ministry is working together with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and also the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and meeting on a monthly basis.

He pointed out that operators have a number of challenges and in this regard his Ministry is willing to work with other stakeholders to overcome them and in this regard the GTA is being re-organised to cope with the new demands.

Prashad said that Guyana has moved from having some 300 hotel rooms in August 2006 to approximately 2,000 by March 2007, noting that this is a significant improvement and indicated also that more hotels are being built.

Prashad pointed out that Carifesta in terms of hotel accommodation will be bigger than World Cup because over 40 countries have been invited with 14 confirming their participation so far.

Over 2,000 delegates are expected to visit, he noted also.

“…we have a challenge ahead of us in terms of what is happening for the future and most specifically Carifesta,” Prashad emphasised.

“We have competition now and you have to learn to package and link up with each other to create packages,” he urged, adding that they have to start thinking about packaging tours and accommodation assuring that his Ministry is willing to work with them.

He noted with nature tourism and adventure tourism in Guyana, more people are coming back to Guyana for major events such as Main Big Lime and Guyexpo.

Prashad said the Ministry is also concerned about how tour operators can promote and sensitise persons to visit their respective resorts and take advantage of this captive market not only for Carifesta but as a whole.

He said in order to have a level playing field, steps have been taken to provide information on a timely basis.

Visitor Experience Co-ordinator of the Carifesta Secretariat, Mr. Ohene Koama said he is working closely with the Ministry and the GTA, while the secretariat has been moving to facilitate the various operators involved and informed about Carifesta to enable them to benefit from this mega event.

He said on the website www.carifesta.net there is a link for accommodation and a special link is being created for tour operators and also efforts are being made to create a link with the airlines to enable persons to access information.

In addition, he said as part of the sensitizing efforts magazines and tourist maps are being distributed to the regional representatives to promote the tourism aspect.