THE management of Shanklands Tourist Resort is confident that tourism will eventually boom in Guyana.

The proprietors, Max and Joanne Jardim, told a press conference held yesterday at their D'Aguiar Park residence, they are pleased that the Government has recognised the importance of tourism in the economic development of Guyana. They said they were satisfied with the concessions and support the Government is giving to the industry.

The press conference was called to inform the media of a new 12-metre long aluminum boat acquired from Brazil to boost Shanklands’ capacity to transport its guests.

Mr. Bernard De Young, General Manager of Shanklands, told the media that the boat was acquired under the recent trade agreement signed between Guyana and Brazil. He said Brazil observes strict standards of safety and reliability in the boat-building industry, and in that country all boats have to be designed and built to ensure that they are unsinkable.

The cost of the boat is US$13,678. A comparable one built with fibre-glass in the United States costs over US$35,000.

In addition, it cost the Shanklands resort US$1,700 to transport the boat to Georgetown.

Mr. De Young said that the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce was very supportive and cooperative in the venture and assured a duty-free concession for the purchase of the boat.

He explained that Shanklands decided to purchase such a boat because Guyanese tourists prefer them to the locally built wooden open boats, while the foreign tourists prefer the locally built boats.

De Young said that Guyanese must understand the costs involved in providing a service. Overhead expenses are high, mainly because of the high costs of transporting people from one point to another, he disclosed.

Shanklands is the booking agent for Guyanese tourists to Manaus and Boa Vista in Brazil, while MICAN in Brazil, is the agent for Brazilian tourists who will be visiting Shanklands.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Ms Sonia Roopnauth commended the Jardims for sticking it out during difficult times, and reassured them of Government’s support for the development and expansion of the tourist industry in Guyana.

She said that Government is very optimistic about the development of tourism and information technology. These areas are critical for economic advancement of Guyana.

Ms. Roopnauth reiterated the Government's commitment to provide financial concessions in the training, marketing and exposure required for the development of tourism. She added that with the advent of a Tourism Authority next year, the rate of development of the tourist industry should accelerate.

Mrs. Jardim, who is Canadian by birth, told the ‘Chronicle’ she loves this country and would not swap Guyana for anywhere else. She said she and her husband firmly believed that tourism 'holds the future of Guyana'. That is why they persisted despite difficult times, and are continuing to invest to further develop the Resort.

She also feels that Government officials should visit the interior of Guyana to familiarise themselves with what Guyana has to offer. Such visits would help to reduce the lethargic approach in some instances, and expedite the processes to get things done that are essential for the advancement of the tourist industry.

Mrs. Jardim, however, identified the irrregular and unreliable international flights as the main stumbling block to the ‘take off’ of tourism in Guyana. She emphasised that tourists from North America would only go to destinations where they are assured that they will return home in time to resume their jobs. (Chamanlall Naipaul)