– as Region 10 Tourism Association hosts Diaspora tour
Members of the Diaspora were treated to a Diaspora tour of Linden and interactive luncheon on Monday, facilitated by the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Tourism Development Association (RTDA).
A section of the gathering on Monday
The initiative saw more than 20 members from the Diaspora participating thus allowing them an opportunity to view numerous tourism sites in the community as well as seek out possible approaches to collaborative investment.
The members were drawn from countries such as the United States, Nigeria, Jamaica and others who are part of the Diaspora Committee.
Following a tour of various sites in the community, an interactive luncheon was hosted at the Watooka Complex, which saw numerous presentations whereby members of the Diaspora were given an opportunity to interact with officials.
Speaking at the event, Minister within the Agriculture Ministry, Valerie Adams-Yearwood pointed to agriculture and its impact on the tourism sector.
Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development (LCICD) President Victor Fernandes, in his remarks, encouraged the members of the Diaspora to seek opportunities to invest in the community, noting that it was “ripe for investment” as he pointed to various prospects such as eco-tourism and hospitality.
Fernandes said plans were in place to make Linden one of the main destinations in Guyana with its natural habitat, flora and fauna, location alongside Demerara River and countless heritage sites. The river, he noted, can be the site of packaged tours, while pointing to festivals such as the Rockstone Fish Festival. In the area of infrastructure, he pointed to the future development of the Linden Airstrip and the construction of a major road linking Guyana to other parts of the world. Fernandes also added that there were incentives for investment through GO-Invest.
Tourism Department Director General Donald Sinclair extended a warm welcome to the Diaspora members, noting that they were now experiencing “a new Guyana “from a tourism standpoint.
He said the international market has taken interest in what the country has to offer in terms of eco- and nature tourism. Sinclair boasted that the country has gained much prominence as it was recently voted the number one eco-tourism destination in the world.
