The first scheduled flight this year of the ‘Kaieteur domestic special’ offer for resident Guyanese at a cost of $26,000 is to take off tomorrow.
The flight to the majestic Kaieteur Falls will depart from Ogle aerodrome for the Potaro River where passengers will spend two hours before returning to Georgetown.
This initiative is in its third year and is a collaborative effort of Air Services Limited, Kaieteur National Park, Rainforest Tours, the Guyana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad praised the initiative, noting the boost it will give to the Kaieteur National Park, Rainforest Tours and Air Services Limited.
It is estimated that over 400 Guyanese benefited from this package last year and Prashad said that he is currently in discussions with the local airlines for flights during CARIFESTA which will be held from August 22 to 31 and general flights for the summer holiday.
Chairman of the Kaieteur National Parks Commission Shyam Nokta said that this package has had a significant impact on Guyanese and these are the types of initiatives needed to promote local tourism. “It is good that it’s happening during CARIFESTA, but I would also like to encourage them to see how best we can continue it,” he said.
“This is a positive development for domestic tourism, the best ambassador that we can have for our tourism products is our own Guyanese, and we need to give them an opportunity to see some of our premier attractions and Kaieteur really is the jewelry in the crown,” Nokta said.
He noted that the commission is prepared to maintain its support by continuing to give the 50 per cent waiver on landing fees that started since 2004.
