Just recently, a large cruise ship - the Minerva II - docked in Guyana with over 534 passengers and 300 crew, all foreigners. This was the largest ever to dock in Guyana. The ship’s arrival signals much potential for future visits. Here is what the people are saying about the ship’s arrival and its implications for job creation and enhancing Guyana’s economy.

Albert Barnwell - Watercolour Artist
I think its (cruise ship’s) arrival could help everyone. The craft people have to benefit from cruise ships coming in. I hope that the organisers of this event would not wait until the next time a ship is coming in to make all the arrangements. It is a normal thing in the Caribbean -- from November to April - which is the official tourists season in the Caribbean, which can bring one to five ships per day.

I wish if there could be mass tourism in Guyana, so I would not have to venture out of Guyana. We are just starting up our tourism sector and I think that Guyana should focus more attention on tourism. It would be very lucrative for us, but we still have to do some more work.

Lancelot McPherson - Leather Craft Designer
The craft business is good, but Guyana has to promote more of this (tourism). The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce is now getting into the business, so things are being taken cautiously, when we get more on stream and know exactly what we have to do, we will get more support. It we get more ships coming in on a regular basis, that will help us a lot. I will get acquainted with the dealings and the needs of the tourists. And the tourists will also get acquainted with Guyana after several visits. We need a lot more of these visits.

Michael Goring - Leather Craft Businessman
The ship should make things happen at a more rapid rate. We are anticipating increased sales. Regular and increased visits of cruise ships would positively influence our employment situation by creating income for a lot of poor souls.

Carol Schwartz - Clothing Designer
The ship’s arrival is not as I expected because some tourists are complaining about the prices. Ships coming in on a regular basis would be important but the tourists also need to have spending power to accompany the visits.

But, I am hoping that sales will pick up and I could have better sales.

Shawn Hopkins - Rice Artist
Regular tourists arrivals could help Guyana to be recognised on the international front. All the other countries (Caribbean) have craft items. But, Guyana is different because we have unique talents and items to exhibit for the tourists. If we have more cruise ships, I think that the craft sector could employ several people because the demand for our products will increase.

Mustapha Fraser - Craftsman
The local market for craft items is not very lucrative, so if more tourists come into the country and we could get the foreign market, then craft people and Guyana could do better.

Milisia Sewak - South West Gallery
I usually export to the Caribbean islands and tourists in those places buy our products. If we are to get regular visits from cruise ships and tourists coming to Guyana, then I may not have to export my products to the Caribbean. Right now, Guyana’s tourist sector is not so large, but if three or fours ships come to Guyana on a regular basis, then that would be great.

Azad De Abreu - De Abreu Creations
The jewelry business in Guyana is not so bad, but with the ship coming in, people expect an increase in sales. If Guyana gets regular visits by cruise ships, then I am sure it would make a positive impact on everybody and the whole economy. We need stuff like this. I am sure the eco-tourist destinations will benefit tremendously from the visit. The economy needs the boost.