The Splashmins Resort is now seeking investors as the company undergoes rebranding that it hopes to complete by the end of this year.
According to the resort’s General Manager Pamela Manasseh, management has decided to target investors not only to expand the resort but also to “keep up” with the interests of today’s society.
“I believe Splashmins can be a resort where investors, who are sitting on extra money, can come in and invest. While we have kayaks and jet skis, we want to have more so that when guests are visiting we won’t have them waiting,” Manasseh told Stabroek News during a recent interview.
“We are still in the process of rebranding and we have the rest of the year to continuously add to our brand. But, basically, we want more persons to understand that Splashmins is more than just a day park, it’s an all-inclusive package. We offer a fresh water lake, hotel, eco-camping ground with so much activities to take part in,” Manasseh said. Officially opened in May, 2000 by the Ashmins Group of Companies, Splashmins was created from the pure swamplands of the Madewini Basin, along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.
Manasseh noted that over the years Splashmins has made many additions to the resort, including an outside bar, a restaurant catering for both local and international guests as well as games, and swimming. New to the list, however, is the opportunity for guests to partake in outdoor recreational fishing.
She said the resort is clearing fields for the construction of benabs and a deck for fishing at the camping ground. For a small fee, guests would be allowed to engage in fishing using “hooks and rods.” However, persons would be prohibited from taking the fish out of the area; instead, the resort will be providing grills and other cooking utensils for guests to have their own “cook-outs.”
Although it hopes to introduce other activities, such as horseback riding, Manasseh noted that the resort does not want to be the only party financing such activities since others can partner with the company, invest and benefit as well.
On the other hand, she explained, it is often hard to partner with other companies, particularly those in the tourism sector since often other organisations take a “selfish” approach in marketing Guyana as a tourist destination.
“What we tend to do in Guyana is we tend to fight it on our own, in the sense that we want to be selfish and put everything on one plate; we have to learn to share. It’s something that we need to change. The sooner we change and realise what we are developing and moving to, the better we will become,” the manager noted.
As a result, Manasseh believes more networking is crucial for parties operating in the tourism sector.
“We should be able to have more connections. Look, we have this large 14-acre property, let people come in; add small investors and let them do their thing so that we all live once we have that business understanding. You have the jet skis, we have the water; let’s combine and market, you make 70% I make 30%,” Manasseh said.
Manasseh added that there are also plans to introduce single and double-room cabins and tree houses at the camping ground, which would complement the 24 fully self-contained rooms that are available at the resort’s hotel. The hotel is also expected to be enhanced as plans are in place to add rooms along with a banquet hall.
Additionally, all the benabs at the water park, she said, have already been restored and are back in full use.
Manasseh indicated that as everything is being fitted into place, the resort will have a major relaunch and more activities introduced as it is working towards being able to host events such as pageants and regattas in the near future. “What we are looking for is to have more live stuff going on the water, which happens to be our main attraction,” she said.
Moreover, promotions to show appreciation to its valued customers are also among future plans.
And although other resorts have since and continue to establish themselves up across the country, the General Manager was happy to say that Splashmins is one that will remain unique as it offers both international and local guests an opportunity to experience an infusion of Guyanese culture. This, she said, comes at a very affordable price and convenience to its customers.
“Those other places that are opening are no competition for Splashmins, none at all. Why would I go to places like White H2O to see blue water, when I can fly to Trinidad and see that at a lesser cost and hassle? Why do all that when I can drive the 45 minutes up to Splashmins with my friends, chill, have a good time and leave when I’m ready,” Manasseh said.
She further alluded to the view that Guyanese culture makes for persons wanting to be in settings that allow them to feel safe, comfortable and generally be themselves, and that she said is what Splashmins offers. “A lot of people don’t have a resort like this that is close to the city yet so all inclusive. What we offer is an opportunity to create your own excitement in one package,” she added.
Manasseh stated as the resort continues to rebrand, the Guyanese people will remain first and foremost a priority. Nevertheless, Splashmins will welcome those international parties interested in visiting not only the resort but Guyana on the whole.
She said Guyanese should also play their role in marketing Guyana as a tourist destination. Having been one of 11 local companies that took part in a Trinidadian trade fair in mid-January, Manasseh explained that while the fair was informative it also made her realise that Guyanese do not promote their country to foreigners. Instead, they tend to focus on the negative.
She noted that this should not be the case since part from having similar cultures to Trinidad and Suriname and being in geographical proximity, Guyana has a lot to offer as a potential tourist destination.
