A partnership of promise
THE decision by the national airline GA2000 and the Lake Mainstay Resort on the Essequibo Coast to link forces is a partnership of promise. Both sides will be looking for returns from the venture and there's nothing wrong with that as long as it would help this country's fledgling tourism sector to grow. There has for too long been too much talk about the tremendous potential earning power of tourism for this country and concrete steps forward, like the GA2000-Lake Mainstay Resort venture, are therefore to be eagerly welcomed. "Package tours are the bread and butter of any country's tourist industry", GA2000 Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tom Scarlett noted at the launching of the tourist package with the Lake Mainstay Resort firm in Georgetown Thursday. "Ultimately, Guyana's tourist industry will develop and flourish only if partnerships can be forged between the airlines serving Guyana and the tourist industry", he said. Guyana has a unique tourist product and is well-placed to capitalise on it. For one, it is near the popular Caribbean tourist destinations and therefore can attract some of the vast numbers of tourists that each year swarm the region - if its product is properly packaged and marketed. Another advantage is that its treasures are available all year round and it is largely a land still to be explored, which in itself is a unique attraction. We understand that interest in Guyana as a tourist destination has been kindled as far as Japan, an important source for the tourism market around the world. What has to be done is to build on the interest, the attractions, the potential. And the GA2000-Lake Mainstay Resort package, as outlined this week, seems the way to go. The brochures touting the pleasures and comforts of the resort are attractive and the programme could be a success if it kicks off without, or with few, hitches. Tourists need to be comfortable, to get to and from where they are going with ease, without hassles, and once they are happy in a place, the word will spread. Much therefore will depend on the officials directly and indirectly linked to the trade and the airline and resort need to guard against obstacles that could put a spoke in their package. One bad experience could have a devastating effect, as has happened in some Caribbean tourist destinations. For example, Jamaica which depends heavily on tourism, is into another all-out battle to contain crime which among other things, has damaged the tourist trade in the past. The GA2000-Lake Mainstay offer seems attractive enough to pull good results and we commend the two for coming up with the plan. We wish them luck.  Follow the goings-on in Guyana
|