Analyse of the sector 30/11/2010
Looking to impress

In June 2008, Suriname launched the first annual four-day Live Music and Entertainment 2008 event or “Lime 2008”. Organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKF), the event is expected to “attract tourists from all over the world but especially people from the Caribbean”. The KKF is aiming to brand “Lime 2008” as one of the major cultural and entertainment events in the region, comparing it to the carnival in Trinidad and Tobago or the St Lucia Jazz festival in St Lucia.

 

International help

 

Suriname’s government continues to rely on international financing in order to improve its infrastructure. In 2008, the government made use of Chinese financial help in order to build a much-needed 500-km road network to connect the different regions of the country. This will improve domestic tourism as road conditions and security improve; in addition, regional inbound tourism to the country will increase especially from neighbouring countries.

 

“Where the Amazon meets the Caribbean”

 

In October 2008, the Suriname Tourism Foundation hosted the first International Suriname Tourism Fair at the Torarica Hotel in Paramaribo. Under the slogan, “Suriname, where the Amazon meets the Caribbean”, the event highlighted Suriname’s unique geographical location and facilitated networking among local and international tourism providers.

 

A unique product

 

Suriname has benefited from growing international tourism interest in other cultures and especially in nature and its preservation. Suriname’s key attraction is the fact that 85% of its territory is covered by virgin tropical rainforest. Early in the process of tourism development, the authorities realised that ecotourism could be the major source of income for the market. Nevertheless the authorities must be careful to balance growth with the conservation of the unique features and extraordinary quality of their product.