Skyhigh Dominicana has opened its first office in Guyana, one month after it commenced weekly flights between Guyana and the Dominican Republic.
Skyhigh Aviation Services announced last month that it would be offering three weekly flights that connect Guyana with the Dominican Republic, providing convenient and affordable travel options for business and leisure passengers.
At the ceremony to open their new location in David Street Kitty, the Dominican Republic Ambassador to Guyana, Ernesto Torres- Pereyra, said that with Skyhigh serving as a bridge, the dream of developing a multi-nation tourism strategy is easily achievable.
Minister Oneidge Walrond joined Dominican Republic Ambassador to Guyana, Ernesto Torres-Pereyra, and members of Skyhigh Aviation Services for the formal opening
The diplomat underscored, “Our countries have never been closer…The opening of direct flights between Georgetown and Santo Domingo is one of the most significant moments in the history of our bilateral relations; precisely because of the potential to foster a more dynamic exchange in trade and tourism, as well as all areas of official cooperation. It is, once again, a time for discovery.”
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond lauded the company for heeding the call for greater connectivity to Guyana. “Once again, it tells us, as a Government, that the investors are seeing the vision for the development of the tourism sector here in Guyana. We became quick friends, the Dominicans and Guyanese. I believe that the collaboration happened so instantaneously.”
According to Minister Walrond, this feat is just the beginning of many successes to come, and the Guyana Tourism Authority is working with Skyhigh to roll out more seats and a greater tourism package.
“The fact that you’re opening an office to serve the Guyanese people once again tells me that the standards here for your customers (are) extremely high, and this will augur well for our visitors and those who come to experience Guyana and the tourism product,” she expressed.
The increasing airlifts, availability of hundreds of new hotel rooms, and new attractions coming on stream simultaneously do not happen in a vacuum, she also pointed out. She explained, “It happens with government. Government continuing to build out other aspects of the tourism sector that support airlifts. We want to listen to what we can do to make sure that your venture as an airline is viable. The new hotels will add immediately, just in Georgetown, 1000 rooms, which increases our feasibility for doing conferences, meetings and expos as part of our strategy for the building out of the tourism sector.”
There is a strategy to have two million visitors experiencing Guyana by 2027 for both professional and leisure activities.
Skyhigh Aviation Services is a Dominican Republic-based airline that offers scheduled passenger and cargo services across the Caribbean, Venezuela, and the United States. The current route network includes flights to Miami, Caracas, Maracaibo, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Antigua, St Maarten, St Kitts, Anguilla, St Thomas, St Croix, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Santiago and Havana Cuba, among other destinations.
It has been connecting the Caribbean for more than 12 years, committing to increased connectivity within the region and further afield. The new route, operated by a comfortable Embraer 190 with 97 seats, offers seamless connections between Santo Domingo’s Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) and Georgetown’s Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
This enhanced connectivity is expected to boost tourism and trade and investment between the two nations, offering exciting opportunities for cultural exchange and economic growth.
Passenger movement at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport continues to increase, with the airport processing 729,680 passengers for last year. This figure represents an increase of 11 per cent compared to the 657,249 passengers processed in 2022.
Additionally, over 11 million tonnes of cargo have been processed at the airport, representing a 25 per cent increase from the previous year’s figure.
Influx of the international arrival rate seen in recent time is due to Guyana becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with many booming sectors and the vast development of its tourism industry. The country has been investing in numerous tourism products and experiences, such as its eco-lodges, tours, and cultural extravaganza, among other tour initiatives. (G12)
