In a bid to tackle the soaring prices of excursions within Guyana, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has launched several initiatives aimed at addressing the significant cost barrier faced by many local tourists.
GTA Director Kamrul Baksh unveiled some of these initiatives on Friday during the inaugural launch of the Independence Safari.
According to Baksh, in attempts to mitigate this issue, the GTA has created a wide array of excursion options within hinterland areas for local tourists to choose from.
“Last year a passport initiative was initiated where 40 experiences were available at heavily-discounted rates for the coastal regions we have created new experiences in hinterland areas – what that does is it diversifies the number of options for the local market to engage in, thus far the GTA has reaped great success from these initiatives,” he expressed.
Baksh also mentioned that these initiatives have been carried out mainly, because the domestic market serves as a significant one for the GTA and by extension, the Tourism Ministry.
“The domestic market is an important market for us and here at the GTA and by extension, the Tourism Ministry of Guyana … we have prioritised that as well, so tourism is not only about persons coming into the country but also the local persons,” he explained.
Furthermore, he revealed that following this initiative, there has been an increase in domestic tourism, and within the past two to three years, the GTA has recorded the highest level of visits from locals, mainly because scores of campaigns have been advertised for the local market.
Alongside those efforts of diversifying the opportunities available for local tourists, Baksh further revealed that the Authority has introduced several discounted specials for travellers.
“Summer is coming up fast on our heels and we are sure that you will see lots of tour specials during the periods of Cricket Carnival and the ICC World Cup happening in June,” Baksh stated, adding that they are not only looking to implement these discounted specials solely at peak periods but also off-peak periods and on holidays.
These discounted packages are set to be carried out through a seasonal period, and some have already been carried out in Easter of 2024.
Tour prices in Guyana can vary depending on the duration, activities included, and the level of luxury. For example, a multi-day rainforest expedition with accommodation in eco-lodges and guided wildlife excursions can range from US$1500 to US$3000 per person.
Shorter day tours focusing on specific activities like birdwatching or river cruises may cost between US$100 to US$300 per person. Additionally, customised or private tours may have higher price tags based on individual preferences and requirements.
Rainforest Tours
The Rainforest Tour company was formed by Frank and Sabita Singh in 1995, where in the beginning, the business was run from their residence. Frank Singh had extensive knowledge of the country due to his previous business endeavours, and with that and his deep love for nature and the environment, they created a company that would focus on hospitality, customer satisfaction, and pure adventure. This concept has now put their company at the very top of the industry.
