Large numbers of persons from the city and neighbouring Suriname turned out for the premier regatta at heritage village Orealla, a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
Director of Tourism Indranauth Haralsingh who attended the event on behalf of Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad in his address to villagers said government is pushing local tourism development and encouraged persons to emulate the management of Cortours, a company based in the Corentyne that assisted with sponsoring the regatta.
According to GINA acting Toshao Floyd Edwards said the regatta is a stepping stone to developing tourism in the community. He urged the public to visit the community; noting that it was welcoming. Earle Vandenberg, a footballer from the village said many of the villagers were able to witness boat races and other activities for the first time and noted that the regatta was good for tourism. He also said he was grateful to the ministry for the assistance given to the village.
Meanwhile, Ganesh Singh of Cortours said the company sponsored the sporting activity as sport brings people together. He said too the company will continue to support activities in the village and expressed the hope that other investors will come on board.
GINA said Orealla currently has a thriving cottage industry which produces jams and fruit cheese. The Orealla Fruit Cheese Women’s Association currently produces fruit cheese and jams from carambola, pineapple and tangerine which are sold at Fogarty’s and Mattai’s supermarkets in Georgetown. Chairwoman of the Association Marceline Morris urges the public to support the community by purchasing the products.
