Guyana’s easternmost town, Corriverton in East Berbice/Corentyne, now sports a billion-dollar investment in the establishment of the Classic International Hotel and Suites − a four-storey building which has 32 rooms and four extravagant suites overlooking the Corentyne River.
Considered a high-end hotel by the owner, the facility is equipped with all modern amenities, including a swimming pool and pool house with garden, and five bars, including a poolside bar.
The newly opened Classic International Hotel and Suites
The hotel is owned by business magnate Harishnarine Sugrim, commonly known as ‘Chinee’, and is part of the GUYTRAC conglomerate — an importer of heavy duty agricultural machinery for infrastructure development, logging and gold mining which has been in existence for over 40 years.
This posh lodging entity was officially declared open on Thursday by Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, who in remarks said the local tourism industry has great potential but is plagued with many challenges. “We try to kick-start an industry that we have not traditionally prioritised as yet. We have not as yet integrated ourselves into the international tourism industry in a way that puts us on the map as a serious tourism destination. Therefore, we find ourselves without that strategic link between the markets and the airlines and the accommodation and the activities that other competing destinations have long since established,” he stated.
The Minister warned against those who invest in the industry but are not serious about upholding quality standards. He said their actions can kill tourism in Guyana. He underscored the need for players in the tourism industry to be service-oriented and provide training for the staff they employ.
In his remarks, Businessman Sugrim said more than forty persons are employed at the new facility, and they have all undergone one month of intense training. He said a further $600 million will be invested in the building, as he has plans to develop a waterfront resort which will include two yachts and dozens of water jet skis.
The resort is expected to occupy one hundred feet of space in the Corentyne River.
Corriverton Mayor Krishnand Jaichand, who also delivered remarks, noted that Classic Hotel, during its construction phase, provided meaningful jobs for dozens of persons. He added that the hotel would continue to serve as a source of employment and will significantly impact positively on unemployment on the Upper Corentyne. “Its impact on the prosperity of the town cannot be underestimated, and it shines like a beacon of hope for people worrying about prevailing economic uncertainties,” the Mayor stated.
