Diversification of tourism products to help boost hotel sustainability in Linden

In an effort to ensure hotels are sustainable to business owners throughout the year in Linden Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice), the Region 10 Tourism Committee has been working with stakeholders to develop and roll out a number of initiatives geared at attracting tourists throughout the year.
Earlier in May Guyana Times reported that one of the Mining town’s highlight events ‘The Linden Town Week’ which is conducted every year as part of the town’s birth anniversary celebrations, would have received its largest turnout ever due to a 15-20 per cent increase in accommodation. According to information received most of these rooms we’re already booked since December 2023.

In a recent interview with this publication Region 10 Tourism Committee member, Devin Sears, expressed his confidence in these hotels being sustainable to business owners outside of the town week period. Sears revealed that over the years the region has seen an influx of tourist in the region.
“Yes, I definitely believe that the new guest houses and hotels are viable. Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen an increase in tourism activities, particularly on the weekends. Most hostels are already booked out and more are coming on stream.”
He added that, this influx coupled with initiatives that are being developed and rolled out by the Region 10 Tourism Committee and stakeholders, will ensure that hotels in the region are profitable to business owners throughout the year.
“We’ve created such an amazing tourism product, which will sustain those kinds of investments. We’re actually working along with some of our stakeholders to create weekday packages. So, whenever a tourist decides to visit Linden, let’s say a Tuesday, you know, you can go to karaoke at Five Corner, you can go have maybe brunch at Colfin’s and stay at a really good hotel and maybe travel back the next day. So we’re working on those weekday packages as we speak.”
Moreover, the committee member revealed that all of the hotels in the region are owned by local investors that recognize the need more additional accommodation in the region.

“We’re happy that residents within Linden see the need and there’s, of course, there’s a gap in the market in terms of accommodation and along with their families or other investors are confident in Linden’s economy to invest.”
Whilst most of the hotels in linden are locally owned, Sears highlighted that the region is “open for business” to foreign investors.
Additionally, Sears highlighted that whilst emphasis is being placed on bolstering the regions accommodation capacity, similar investments are also being made to increase the hospitality sector in the Region.
“With the Region 10 Tourism Committee, being a non-governmental organization, a not-for-profit, what we have done is seek partners such as UNDP, GEF SGP program, which we started just about two years ago and a part of that program, there were various capacity building training that happened and then under the Greater Guyana Initiative, which is funded by Exxon, HESS, and CNOOC, we were able to take part in, but initiate and also facilitate various trainings ranging from customer care, entrepreneurship, even to basic making of food.”
He added that as the tourism sector continues to expand the Region 10 Tourism Committee will continue to roll out new initiatives aimed at enhancing the hospitality sector in the region. These programmes he highlighted are crucial towards ensuring tourist are met with the highest levels of service.
“So, there are many more trainings that are going to come on board. Now, this is important because you might have the most fancy, as if I may say, facility, you have a gorgeous building, but customer care particularly is what draws potential customers to come into your business and to enjoy whatever has to be offered. And the best recommendation you can have for whatever business you have is word of mouth.”