Potential for the development of tourism in the Pakaraimas mountain area of Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), was greatly enhanced on Saturday with the commissioning of a guesthouse close to the breathtaking Orinduik falls.

Additionally six sets of garden furniture courtesy of Precision Woodworking establishment were donated to the site, expected to further enhance the current tourism drive.

Cited on a hill overhanging the falls, the Michael Shree Chan Guest House, a wooden two-storey structure, is strategically sited overlooking the majestic Orinduik falls and with it the mountainous terrain of neighbouring Brazil.

According to Minister of Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta, it has been designed to allow visitors to capture the area's captivating beauty without the worry of having to leave after a day's enjoyment.

Plans are said to be afoot to landscape the immediate surroundings of the house to further enhance its capacity to cater for tourists wanting to enjoy the natural beauty of the location, which includes rolling hills.

Among the rehabilitative works scheduled is that of two thatch-roofed benabs currently being used to accommodate visitors to the site.

Speaking at the simple ceremony attended by approximately 50 residents of the widely scattered Amerindian villages in the Potaro region, Regional Executive Officer, Peter Ramotar, stated that the present structure was an improvement on a one-flat building that was constructed in 1999.

According to Ramotar, work on the present design commenced in 2000 and it saw the addition of a lower flat, to allow the caretaker to be accommodated along with the painting of the building.

With the government's emphasis on eco-tourism and taking note of the un-spoilt beauty of the location, the decision was taken to construct the house, Ramotar said.

He said that Nokta, who has been visiting the region ever since his early political days and had intimate knowledge of it, contributed.

Nokta said he saw the building's erection as a sign of the continued improvement by government of the social standing of life of interior residents especially those in hard to reach locations, as the Pakaraimas.

He listed the house's construction as significant as two other events--the erection of a health centre and the acquisition of two tractors, which were driven in over the mountains--that brought change to the remote community's life. He called the building a symbol of pride for the community and the region and said that it should be taken care of.

He also spoke in glowing terms about the late minister of trade, tourism and industry, whom the building was named for, including his contribution to the tourism sector during his seven-year tenure.

Executive Director of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, Indira Anandjit, expressed delight that the Orinduik community now had ready accommodation to allow tourists to spend more hours at the location.

Tour operators, according to Anandjit, would be encouraged by the association to begin selling overnight packages to tourists wanting to visit the Orinduik falls and surrounding areas.

Speaking with Stabroek News later, Permanent Secretary in the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry, Sonia Roopnauth, stated that included in the coming year plan was the establishment of outdoor facilities for both males and females and the general enhancing of the immediate guesthouse area.

She was complimentary of the manufacturing sector, which she stated was working in collaboration with her department and other tourism organizations to push the idea. A number of economic schemes of benefit to its inhabitants, according to Anandjit, could spring up in the interior community with the advent of more tourists visiting. Among those identified were craft and other hospitality services in tune with tourist activities.

Representative of Precision Woodworking Company, Edmund Phang, stated that his company was proud to be part of developing the local tourist sector hence the donation.

The garden furniture of the M&S Atlantic variety is constructed of Locust and suited to the weather conditions.