Analyse of the sector 29/11/2010

CARIFESTA X

After hosting the Cricket World Cup in 2007, Guyana hosted the 10th Caribbean Festival of the Arts, CARIFESTA X in August 2008. A total of 30 countries participated in the festival with more than 2,000 country representatives attending the event. The Government placed great emphasis on promoting the event both internally to boost domestic tourism and externally in order to solidify Guyana’s image as an emerging tourist destination. The Government also arranged for international chapters of the festival to take place in the US and the UK in order to promote Guyana in those countries.

 

Diversification

 

During 2007 Guyana hosted the Cricket World Cup; this event paved the way for Guyana to embark on sports tourism, and other niches, as part of its diversification strategy. Guyana wants to excel as an unconventional Caribbean destination, standing out from other regional ‘beach’ destinations. With this strategy, the Government plans to further develop nature-based tourist markets putting emphasis on yachting, bird-watching, and especially ecotourism. Guyana has a first-hand opportunity to offer a tourism product based solely on natural beauty due to its untouched and expansive rainforests. Also, in November 2007, “Tourism Awareness Month”, “Destination Amazonia Year 2009” was launched, an event through which Guyana, along with other Amazonian countries, will promote sustainable tourism in the Amazon region.

 

Celebrating the ‘melting pot’

 

Three religious events were celebrated in March 2008, Youman Nabi, Phagwah and Easter. It was the first time in the history of the country that the three main religions represented, Muslim, Hindu and Christian, celebrated together. The coinciding dates of this holiday enabled the authorities to celebrate the country’s diversity and stimulate domestic and regional tourism at the same time. Regattas, rodeos and other events were used to lure locals and international tourists to the country.