Efforts are being made to boost domestic tourism through the implementation of a Staycation initiative which is expected to officially commence in the month of May.
The aim of this initiative is to drive business to local service providers and owners
Donald Sinclair, Director General of the Department of Tourism
of facilities while simultaneously enhancing national awareness of the local tourism product.
Director General of the Department of Tourism, Donald Sinclair, has said that while Staycation is not a new concept to Guyana, the move is to have it officially launched, so that it could become a regular feature.
Sinclair told a news conference on Thursday that it is a known fact that hundreds of Guyanese have never travelled to many places in Guyana, and Staycation would provide them an opportunity to so do.
“It is basically a case where the market is already there, the product is there too. So, it’s a matter of the industry basically deciding to make the product as attractive as possible for local and Caribbean visitors,” he explained.
Sinclair said residents would be given opportunity to take a break from the routine of their day-to-day lives to vacation within their own destinations. He said that vacationing within one’s own destination not only offers an opportunity to avoid long lines, but also gives travellers a chance to avoid the high cost normally associated with travel.
Sinclair said the Staycation initiative is deliberately set for a May launching because that month has three long holiday weekends. “First is the weekend that climaxes at Labour Day (May 1); next is the one linked with Indian Arrival Day (May 5); and the other one, of course, is the Independence weekend (May 26).”
The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) is currently in discussion with various entities to arrive at possible discounts that could be offered during this period.
“This is something that the industry will have to be announcing: what special packages (would be available). And, of course, individual resorts and businesses will have their own packages and discounts that they will be offering to promote local travel in the month of May,” he explained.
The initiative is a joint collaboration of the Department of Tourism, the Guyana Tourism Authority, the THAG, business owners and regional authorities.
At completion of the first phase of the initiative — at the end of May — the Department will conduct an evaluation to determine the success of the initiative, and determine its weaknesses with the intention of eliminating those weaknesses.
The Staycation package will also feature partnerships with tour operators at significantly reduced prices.
Staycation is a regular feature in the Caribbean and many parts of the world, especially in countries where tourism is the highest income earner.
