He reported that the North American and Caribbean tourist markets are this country’s largest while overseas-based Guyanese, their relatives and friends accounted for 47 per cent of those visiting in that half year.

Of the total, arrivals from Caribbean and Canada accounted for 25 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, Nadir told the Government Information Agency (GINA).

He said, largely due to bad press, particularly overseas-based Guyanese on vacation were demotivated from visiting in the first three months.

However, Nadir explained that the tourism sector regained ground between April and June to record 23,107 arrivals, just four per cent less than the 23,996 for the same period last year.

The Minister attributed the latest 2003 statistics to the recent lull in violent crimes and expressed hope that the local situation would remain conducive to attracting tourists.

Nadir said Guyana’s participation in the Berlin International Trade Fair in 2002 and the May 2003 Guyana Tourism Festival in Toronto have helped to market the nation’s tourism products in North America and Europe.

“This has helped, to some extent, to spread a more positive image about Guyana. It has helped to promote the tourism product that we have. People see that we have world class resorts, that there is the Kaieteur Falls and the canopy walkway at Iwokrama,” the minister pointed out.

He said, in the effort to further promote Guyana as a unique tourist destination, the Tourism Authority is moving to function at full capacity, by recruiting its maximum complement of staff by next month and becoming involved in the promotion of potential tourist attractions, including Diwali, Rupununi Day and Bartica and Mainstay Regattas.

That is in addition to hosting various other cultural activities this year.

Meanwhile, the ‘Miss Jamzone’ pageant, which was promoted as a tourist attraction, will be a fixed calendar event on the third Sunday of every July and Amerindian Heritage Month has been identified for the same purpose, as well, Nadir said.