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Yesterday I booked a flight for the QC Alumni 170 anniversary Reunion (yes the school is 170 years old) from Fly Jamaica and had an interesting conversation with the folks there. You see, Wing Aviation - Fly Jamaica owners - is looking to have themed vacation packages for Guyanese in the diaspora. This BTW would be a useful point to raise at today's Church Ave, Brooklyn function  to welcome President Donald Ramotar.

 

Think of say, wedding packages where you have, not hotel rooms to pay for, but discounted houses (like time-shares) with all wedding packages including barath (we grew up pronouncing it as bariat) from village to village. Think of tour packages that are extensions of other reasons for traveling to Guyana. We've seen the consumer market change over the years as the demographic changed and Guyanese-American of retirement age are becoming more of  factor. In 5 years' time you can project what market opportunities can be presented to consumers. I recall there was no market for a smartphone or a pod music player, but Jobs created that market. Can these people do the same for tourism and hospitality in Guyana?

Originally Posted by Kari:

 You see, Wing Aviation - Fly Jamaica owners - is looking to have themed vacation packages for Guyanese in the diaspora. This BTW would be a useful point to raise at today's Church Ave, Brooklyn function  to welcome President Donald Ramotar.

 

 

You raise an interesting point and that is the Caribbean Visiting Friends Relatives (VFR) market from NY is maturing.  Many who came in the 70s and 80s are approaching retirement.  Many have left the NY area.  Others no longer have the ties that they once had as their parents have died, any kids who were left behind have grown up, and friendship bonds have been refocused to the USA.

 

So, with a market consisting increasing of kids who left young so have limited ties there, and kids born in the USA a more innovative approach is needed. 

 

I saw some here that in the early 2000s over 80% of visitors to Guyana stayed in homes, presumably relatives, or friends.  As relatives die off are those homes still available?  Many of us had complete migrations where most relatives in our generation left Guyana.  Even for those with homes to stay in, or those homes acceptable to our US born kids (mosquitos, heat, etc).

 

So yes some innovative ideas need to be developed with an emphasis, not on those who maintain close ties to Guyana, because they will make their arrangements.  But for the many who only return to Guyana for special events, cricket, reunions, etc.

 

And BTW in the tourist islands not every one wants to stay in a hotel.  If the family is large, or the kids are at that active age (2-9) some prefer villas, and so packages are available.  Something like that with an Air Bnb model might not be a bad idea, especially as most hotels in G/town are structured for business people, because that is their biggest clientele, as they only get around 20% of those who visit Guyana.

FM
Last edited by Former Member

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