Guyana in Vakantiebeurs
GUYANA is now recognised in the Netherlands as the new tourist attraction for 'fun and adventure', according to the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG). A release from the group said there was a "positive response" from Guyana's debut at the Vakantiebeurs 2000 Trade Show at the Jaarbeurs exhibition centre in Utrecht January 11-16. Dutch locals thronged the Guyana booth put up at the show. This country has been fondly known to the Dutch as "British Guiana" or "Brits" and the country "next to Suriname", the statement said. The familiar sun, sand, sea and leisure requirements of tourists have been replaced by a desire for "discovering and exploring nature", THAG reported. The Guyana group at the show was headed by newly-appointed THAG Executive Director, Ms Donna Shortt-Gill. She was accompanied by Mr Tony Thorne, Managing Director of Wilderness Explorers. The visit was funded by Fotonatura, a Dutch photographic company which in an effort to promote Guyana has in the past four years been on tours here. It has captured the essence of the country on film. The booth at the Vakantiebeurs 2000 Exhibition was put together by Fotonatura and featured large photographs depicting vacqueros, animals, interior locations and a huge picture backdrop. Fotonatura will continue escorting other photographers to Guyana for the rest of the year, THAG said. Demerara Distillers Limited supplied El Dorado rum of all kinds to "tickle the palate" of inquiring prospective tourists, "which went down very well", THAG said. The group said it intends to continue promoting Guyana as a tourist destination at a Trade Show in Chicago, February 18-20, 2000.
|