Seventy-six plus participants and sponsors were on Thursday evening honoured for their participation in the annual Pakaraima Mountain Safari.
Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes
Among the dignitaries present at the event were Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valarie Garrido-Lowe, Tourism Authority Director Indranaught Singh and tour organiser Frank Singh.
According to Tourism Director Singh, what was amazing is that among the 76 plus participants, 60 per cent were first-timers.
Tour organiser Singh indicated that the tour has so far accumulated 1350 participants throughout its 14 years of existence, prompting Tourism Minister Hughes to remark that the trip should be extended from once a year to two times a year and be expanded so that a lot more persons can take part.
Minister within, Garrido-Lowe indicated that a great opportunity was presented to people who wished to come on board and experience “romantic waterfalls, lush savannahs, and breath-taking mountains.” She further expressed gratitude for the appreciation shown towards indigenous people, with the purchasing of necessities from villages, as well as the patrons providing various items the communities may be short of like footwear, etc.
The presentation ceremony acknowledged sponsors such as GUYOIL, Mohamed’s Enterprise, the Ministry of Tourism, and local biker groups Sonic Hunters and the Lethem Bikers. Director Singh highlighted the presence of ‘safarians’ from every region of Guyana and international participants including from Holland, Mexico, United Kingdom, China, and Suriname.
Speakers included Edward Luke-King and John Benet who both reflected on their encounters throughout the trip. Bennett said it was an “honour to participate in such an exciting event”. He humorously recalled the renaming of the Pakaraimas the “mountain of doom.”
Tourism Minister Hughes in her remarks emphasised impact the event has on the tourism sector as well as the role it plays in putting Guyana on the map as the top tourist destination place in the world. She indicated that in her Cabinet presentations, she intend to have tourism playing a much more vital contribution towards the economic development of Guyana.
Minister Hughes also highlighted the cultural exchanges of the indigenous people and that of the touring parties, citing that they both learned from each other.
Frank Singh acknowledged the participation and unity that was shown on the trip as he recollected on the experiences that helped to foster a better friendship among participants, while attributing the drought to the success of their trip which saw the expansion of the tour to include another Amerindian village.
Preparation has already commenced for the other trip, with the training of young individuals to express the Amerindian culture through food and craft in tours.
The organisers wished to see the touring party extend by next year and encouraged individuals to come on board.
