PRESIDENT and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Antigua-based Caribbean Star airline, Mr. Paul Moreira has announced future plans he expects to impact greatly on Guyana tourism.

Speaking when the inaugural flight landed here Friday, he said he has already met 10 leading local hoteliers to discuss the proposed January 3 launch of a package dubbed `Caribbean Star Vacations’, through which he intends to promote this country by offering affordable one-week trips for visitors.

The promotion would be done in a brochure and on a website throughout the Caribbean and in the United States (U.S.), Moriera said.

Arriving with him at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, were Director of Public Relations, Caribbean Sector, Ms Avonelle Pole; Senior Captain and Vice-President, Operations, Mr. Gerald Fredericks; First Officer, Mr. Mark Filiatreault; flight attendant, Ms Audrey Farinha; Quality Assurance Manager, Mr. Rex Hamza; Customer Relations Manager, Mr. Bernard Ho; Director of Maintenance, Mr. Frankie Francois; Regional Sales Manager, Southern Region, Mr. Shane Pilgrim; Chief Cricket Development Officer, West

Indies Cricket Board, Mr. Michael Seepersaud; Aviation Consultant, Mr. Sam Waite and Customer Service Representative, Mr. Albert Reid.

Fredericks and Francois are two of the many Guyanese with Caribbean Star, which has a fleet of eight Dash-8 aircraft that will fly here five times a week, departing Antigua on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays at 6.30 a.m. and stop in Barbados before coming to this destination for a 10.30 a.m. ETA (expected time of arrival).

Moriera said the schedule would allow for connections from Tortola, St Lucia, Dominica, St Vincent, Grenada, Anguilla and St Kitts to U.S. destinations via Air Jamaica, Air Canada and Virgin Airlines.

He said Caribbean Star has also applied for rights to operate out of Trinidad, as well.

Moreira boasted that the fares are the lowest in the Region, costing about 20 per cent or even less than those offered by competitors, including a special introductory price of US$190 return between Antigua and Guyana, until December 15.

“Our commitment to the people of the Caribbean and Guyana is quite simple. We will give you the service you deserve at the fares you deserve with some very warm Guyanese and Caribbean hospitality,” he said.

Moriera said his motivation to begin serving Guyana dates back three years, with a vision to unite all the CARICOM nations, after observing that travel within the Region posed tremendous difficulties, was too expensive and not a hassle-free.

Guyana is now the eleventh Caribbean Star destination, of the 30 to 40 projected over the next three to four years.

Pole said Caribbean Star will embark on a massive radio campaign, from Antigua, to advertise its fares and services in the next four weeks