Nine couples to compete for ‘ultimate’ wedding experience

Nine couples are scheduled to compete in this year’s Wedding Expo showdown for a chance to win what is being touted as the ultimate wedding package.

During the launching of the 6th annual Wedding Expo, held at Roraima Duke Lodge, Kingston yesterday, it was revealed that in addition to a completely catered wedding, the lucky couple will win a honeymoon package, compliments of Fly Jamaica and wedding rings courtesy of King’s Jewellery World.

“We will put the couples in conditions to see how they interact with each and based on that we will be able to determine the way they feel about each other and pick our winner,” Captain Gerald Gouveia said.

It was further stated that the couples will be viewed on television so that members of the public can help

President of THAG Kit Nascimento, Minister of Tourism Irfaan Ali and Captain Gerald Gouveia (fifth, sixth and seventh, left, respectively) pose with some of the contestants for this year’s Wedding Expo competition. (Photo by Arian Browne)
President of THAG Kit Nascimento, Minister of Tourism Irfaan Ali and Captain Gerald Gouveia (fifth, sixth and seventh, left, respectively) pose with some of the contestants for this year’s Wedding Expo competition. (Photo by Arian Browne)

select the winner via text message and Facebook among other social media.

The main aim of the Wedding Expo is to give small businesses an opportunity to gain exposure and grow and also to help boost the tourism industry, Gouveia said.

The Wedding Expo, Gouveia said, will continue to be a platform where small businesses will be linked to the Ministry of Tourism. He added that the Wedding Expo committee hopes to make Guyana a wedding destination, which will improve and contribute to the tourism industry.

The plan is to have couples from foreign countries come to Guyana to be married. However, one of the major hindrances to this is Guyana’s archaic marriage law. Gouveia noted that a request was made to have the law amended to reduce the time a foreigner has to spend in Guyana before being able to get married here.

He added that more airlines are starting up operations in Guyana and this will create lots of tourism possibilities.

Minister of Tourism Irfaan Ali noted that Panama’s Copa Airlines will begin operating out of Guyana soon. He added that before the end of 2014, two additional airlines are expected to begin operations out of Guyana; the names, he said, will be disclosed later.

With Copa operating out of Guyana, Ali said, foreigners can have their wedding in Guyana and then travel to any part of South America for their honeymoon. He said places like Kaieteur Falls and Baganara Resort were ideal for the unique wedding experience people were seeking.

He said the government and the private sector should get more involved in making Guyana a wedding destination. What Guyana needs, is a website similar to Weddings Direct, where foreigners can have all relevant arrangements made, according to Ali.

He urged that Guyanese work together to change Guyana’s image.

Ali said that hotels such as the upcoming Marriott will significantly help with the development of the tourism industry.

President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) Kit Nascimento said that tourism is everybody’s business and applauded the government for implementing projects such as the Marriott Hotel.

Oshanie and Lee Davis, last year’s Wedding Expo winners, said that they are very pleased to have won the competition. They added that marriage is a blessing and urged the couples scheduled to participate in the event this year to be true to their partners while on show.