Lake Mainstay close to 50% occupancy
By Desiree Jodah
Lake Mainstay Resort, the newest eco-tourism venture which was declared open by President Bharrat Jagdeo on Saturday, is currently enjoying 40 to 45% occupancy. Demerara Investments Company Ltd, comprising five small businessmen, invested over $300 million in transforming the old dilapidated resort to a beautiful getaway at the Amerindian community of Mainstay/Whyaka, in Region Two, seven miles west of Anna Regina. Chairman of the company, Wilfred Jagnarine, told Stabroek News that the company had started doing business about four months ago, although construction work was still in progress in some sections of the resort. He said the resort enjoyed a 25% occupancy during the first three months. However, after construction work was completed a month ago, the occupancy rate went up. Jagnarine said that from the feedback received since the opening last Saturday, the occupancy rate should climb to around 70% for the rest of the year. Bookings for an old year's night bash on the beach are almost 100%. Essequibians and others who do not require overnight accommodation could still attend the party. Jagnarine noted that the resort also enjoyed tremendous success with its facilities for conferences. There have been eight conferences held at the resort so far, mostly by local groups. According to the chairman, he and the other directors, Mokesh Daby, Basil Dyal, Roy and Ronald Bassoo were enthralled by the natural wilderness setting of Mainstay when they first visited three years ago. Speaking to a large gathering which included President Jagdeo and members of his cabinet, at the official opening of the resort, Jagnarine said the transformation from a termite-infested resort, most of which was absorbed by the jungle to the splendour it is, was as a result of hard labour and sacrifice. Lake Mainstay resort could be a hub for visits to other hinterland destination with multi-destination packages arranged with similar facilities and tour operators in showcasing Guyana's natural beauty, Jagnarine said. The staff was specially selected to demonstrate the highest level and quality of hospitality and service. Canadians Peter and Liz Testemale are currently assisting the company with systems analysis and staff training. Jagnarine said the company had invested in taking the comforts of electricity and technology of today's communications to Mainstay to allow visitors an enjoyable stay. Amerindians and others living in the area have also benefited from this. The community's primary school has received electricity and a submersible pump would soon be installed in the community, to provide potable water to residents. The chairman also disclosed that two telephone booths would be erected in the Whyaka and Redlock locations. The directors' vision for Lake Mainstay is that of a unique destination to be marketed locally and internationally. "We believe with government's help and with other major players in the Guyana market tourism will become Guyana's number one foreign exchange earner with mass employment," said Jagnarine. He referred to the $15 million budgeted for the establishment of the Tourism Authority and successful launch of the 'Main Big Lime', as evidence of government's commitment to tourism. An appeal was also made to CARICOM and the Caribbean Tourism Organization to promote Guyana's tourism industry. Minister of Trade, Tourism and Industry, Geoffrey Da Silva, assured directors that his ministry stood ready to work along with them to help organise more domestic tours and to encourage visitors from neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and Venezuela. President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana Shaun Mc Grath noted that Mainstay satisfied all the markets which were linked to tourism. He said it was evident that a lot of thought and planning went into the resort. He added that it was good that Lake Mainstay was concentrating on domestic tourism but warned, however, that the domestic market was limited in size as a result of a small population and the limited spending power of Guyanese. According to Mc Grath, an overseas market would not only generate much needed foreign currency, but would also help reduce the cost of the domestic tours.
|