Given a choice where will most rational people visit.  Rio or Georgetown.

Nothing further need be said.  

And yet with all that you mention GUYANA IS NOT ATTRACTING TOURISTS other than Guyanese, white missionaries and Islanders out to watch cricket and buy "cheap" jewelry.

Can you explain why.  I have told you why but you prefer to pretend otherwise.

As you admit I have considered Georgetown as having potential interest for visitors, something that most residents of that filthy town might be shocked at.  I have confidcence that as part of developing a tourist product, a cleaner Gtwn with ample protection for tourists (and Guyanese) will be a decent place for 3 days as part of a eco/adventure tour of about 1 week.

Sadly even if I wished to do so, if I were not Guyanese I woiuld not know how to go about developing a trip to Guyana that would not be massively more expensive than one to a similar country.  It might shock you to know that even rich people do NOT spend more money than they have to and so if country A has similar offerings to country B, but is more competitively pricd country A wins out.  Busy people do not have the time to stitch together an itinerary upon reaching their destination.  They would rather purchase packages where this has already been done, based upon their tastes, and where the service providers have a reputation for being reliable.

No rich person is going to have any patience for that laid back mentality typical of people in Guyana......"it en ready today, come back tomorrow when di bass come in".  The few who have visited Guyana do note that trips to the interior are touch and go.  Folks will payu to get what they want and will be enraged having done so, they do not get it.  GUYANA IS NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME.  So despite its attractions to gets NO ONE, other than folks going to see family, and look after their property.

And Rev I know several eco/adventure folks who journey to places like Tanzania when Guyana is much nearer.  They do NOT know anything about Guyana, and it will never dawn on them to go there.

These are some wealthy folks too.

So you can scream about the 200 things that Guyana has, and I agree with you.  But until yopu dump the PPP and get a govt which understands the 21st century (not selling bora in Bourda and thinking that this is cutting edge then Guyana will be IGNORED by eco/adventure tourists.

Where did I mention eco tourism? I still believe that it is a very specialized product and will not attract the mainstream.

Druggie we had lengthy discussions about eco/adventure tourism.  I stated that if Guyana developed the industry and promoted it we could attract maybe 50k eco/adventure tourists.

You laughed and said that the only people who would visist Guyana will be Guyanese and their off spring because all Guyana has is mud, bush, mosquitos and AFC/PNC bandits.

So have you now revised your opinion that Guyana does have the potential to attract 50k eco/adventure tourists (right now it attracts less than 1,000), if a proper tourist friendly product is developed, packaged and promoted. 

I mean for the first time in a long time we have an airline which can get one from the UK (where most of these people are likely to come from as they feel an affinity for former British colonies) with few problems.   Compliments of the taxpayers of T&T. Unlike before when it meant changing airlines with all the problems involved.  And to their credit Caribbean Airlines has many articles about Guyana in their inflight magazine.

And when we consider that a target 50k is what Guyana should aim for, we are not talking about a huge industry as Barbados attracts 10X those numbers.  Indeed Suriname probably attracts about as many eco/adventure tourists now.

TOURISM ON THE MOVE IN GUYANA---GTA HAS REPORTED A 12.6% INCREASE IN ITS ANNUAL VISITOR ARRIVAL OVER 2011

READ MORE:

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has reported a 12.6 % increase in its annual visitor arrivals over 2011, effectively placing the country ahead of other countries within the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO). This is heartening news, particularly in light of the difficult global financial situation.

 

However, despite all the difficulties experienced, the sector was able to come out on top, and this, Haralsingh said, was largely due to the durability and resilience shown by the sector; and the collaboration, hard work, dedication and passion of the tour operators, travel agents and stakeholders in the travel industry, particularly between the public and private sectors.

 

The tourism road ahead for us is indeed an exciting and optimistic one, but in order for us to fully develop it there are several prerequisites and measures that must be implemented. One of them of course is the restoration of our capital city to its glory days of being a” Garden City” which has been repeatedly alluded to by both the stakeholders in the tourism sector as well as non-stakeholders.

 

 

 

http://www.guyanachronicleonline.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55049:tourism-on-the-move&catid=1:editorial&Itemid=11

 

You must be the most idiotic man around with an IQ of 20.  Visitor arrivals into Guyana are GUYANESE RETURNING HOME!!!!  They do not need to be enticed to return home as they return to visit family and friends and/or take care of personal and/or commercial business matters.  Very few of them take advantage of Guyana's eco/adventure attractions and indeed its likely that the vast majority DO NOT STAY IN HOTELS.  Many already own property in Guyana or stay with relatives.

This is not to say that this VFR market is unimportant.  Indeed its MORE likely to consume local products and use entertainment facilities than other visitors, and also more likely to patronize the small hotels.  And will also by souvenirs and gifts for their friends back in their adopted countries.

However their decision to visit or not visit Guyana have NOTHING to do with any actions by the govt, or private stakeholders.

I will add that there is NO attempt to develop a product that might interest those people born outside of Guyana, but of Guyanese parentage, and who lack networks of relatives or friends in Guyana, to visit.  These people therefore have no reason to visit Guyana unless the country ha ssomething to offer, when compared to other places wwhere they are likely to visit.

  Case in point.  Georgetown STINKS.  The govt has no policy about encouraging people to maintain our historic dwellings, or encouraging new structures to incorporate (as much as possible) tradsitional architectural structues in what wshould be our HISTORIC DISTRICT.  These historic buildings give Georgetown a unique look, and that anbd its gardens were the reason why iut USED to have appeal to many visitors until the mid 1970s.

  .

Understand this.  Guyana belongs to all Guyanese, not just those who support the PPP, and Guyanese will visit Guyana whether or not they approve of the PPP.  So because I might decide to go home toi visit friends and family has nothing to do with what I think of trhe racist and corrupt and incompetent theives who supposedly govern Guyana (and I include APNU and the AFC as well as the PPP in this description).

50k is minuscule compared to the arrivals in the Islands for the beach worshiping crowd.  I do not discourage eco tourism however it is not high profit and is expensive for the tourists due to high cost of transportation to the eco spots deep in the interior. 

Recently I watched 'Bamazon' on the History Channel about 8 Alabama construction workers on a 6-week trip to Guyana's Amazon jungle looking for gold.  How much of our gold did these plunderers steal, and why were they allowed to do this??

Understand that while tourism will never be a major industry in Guyana it can be crucial in certain locations. The Rupununi being an example, and even Gtown some might benefit. It also tends to employ people with lower skills.

Watching Bamazon it should be obvious to you that not every one can go and mine gold.  Even those already in the interior.

If tourism is of no importance, according to you, then why is the govt wasting money building the Marriott?  Overseas Guyanese already visit, and will continue to visit and the presence of a brand name facility will have very limited impact on whether they continue to visit or nor.  So there is no need for govt to invest in what should be a 100% PRIVATELY funded property.  If Mr Brandon can use HIS money to fund his Choice Hotel then the same should be expected of those involved with the Marriott.

You really think these clueless people would be allowed to steal?  I think that its more likely that Guyanese would find them and rob them...and not necessarily the bandits either.

Like any industry that is marginal, tourism is just another piece in the puzzle, not the main ingredient as it is in the Islands. 

And yet the PPP is providing 100% of the funding for Marriott, once we factor in the guarantees to the investors that, should the project fold, they will get their investment returned to them.

So whats the rationale for that?  Dont tell me so that boastful "rich" overseas Guyanese can flaunt their "wealth".  Well they can do so in a hotel in Paris and send back pics to their Guyanese family.  Believe me they will be more impressed.

The Marriott is just a piece of the puzzle, more money was spent on Skeldon and other enterprises. The Marriott funding by govt is just a percentage of the total cost are there are other investors, just as with the Bbice bridge. 

You scream that tourism will never be of any use to Guyana.  You then justofy the PPP investing/lending or guaranteeing at a minimum of US$60MM.

I can tell that you never picked up an accounting book.  The Govt of Guyana has a contingent liability for the amount that the private investors put into the project, as these frauds have a guarantee that if the project fails the govt is liable to reimburse them for amounts invested.  Clearly lenders will demand to be repaid, regardless as to whether the project succeeds or not.  Guess who will be liable?

This is a 100% state funded project, because the investors bear no risk if the hotel closes.

Why if tourism is of no importance?  To add fat to the fire it appears as if Chinese and not Guyanese are employed in its construction.  Given that you know full well that Guyanese are employed all over the Caribbean in construction, the PPP clearly thinks that Guyanese must migrate if they seek this type of employment in large projects.

Wouldnt ensuring Guyanese found work on this site be a good way to entice them back from the Caribbean?  Or must they be confined to the less lucrative construction of homes?

The PPP must grow some ballz and insist that any foreign contractor who wins a state funded project must use locals ONLY, hiring foreigners only where there is a skill deficit.  Indeed I suggest that this practise be used even when private sector employers seek work permits to bring in foreigners.

carib:

Lots of tripe and long winded drivel from you as usual!

Listen carib! What is the probability of the Mariott in Guyana failing ?

Check this:

That's right carib! The Marriott is an almost sure success. So stop with the bitching and whining--the braying and gobbledygook from you is amazing.

Rev

HAHAHAAAAAAA!!! You're so full of that brown stuff it's oozing out your ears, HAHAHAAAAAA!!!!!

So far you have been the loser on everything you have predicted here, you are a blasted fake, move on dude, move on.

Not only he is a loser but a dunce. He is not able to learn from his mistakes. He has no credibility.

So if the probability of the project failing, WHY DID THE INVESTORS DEMAND A 100% GUARANTEE ON THEIR FUNDS IF IT FAILS?

Indeed most business peopele, sensing this would not want the govt getting into their business, potentially using their dominant ownership stake to snatch the lion's share of profits, or to determine how the facility be managed.

So here we are with the conclusion that the investors are NOT sure that the project will succeed, so demand 100% GUARANTEE of their investment if it does.

GREAT NEWS FOR PPP HATERS AND THOSE WHO WISH TO SEE GUYANA IN RUINS--DELTA AIRLINES WILL PULL SERVICE FROM GUYANA---CARIBJ IS ON CLOUD 9---HAPPY LIKE PIG IN $HIT WITH THIS NEWS

Oh well. When one door closes another opens---Fly Jamaica will soon begin operations from Guyana.

READ MORE:

Fly Jamaica Airways, the Jamaican carrier co-owned by Guyanese Captain Ronald Reece,  is expected to take to the skies on Valentine’s Day,  Thursday, February 14 after an almost three week delay, a report in the Jamaican Gleaner newspaper  stated late last week.

 

According to the Gleaner, the inaugural flight originally scheduled for Friday, January 25, last, was delayed as the airline awaited final terminal approval from the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.

However, now the airline has reportedly received all relevant clearances.

The airline, with 80 employees, is operating a single Boeing 757-200 aircraft. Its first flight on February 14 will be to the JFK Airport in New York