A tour of the oldest town, New Amsterdam and the thrilling experience of camping above a waterfalls are among the new tourist experiences being offered to locals and visitors.
Four new tourism products were yesterday launched by tourism operators in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) at the Herd-manston Lodge Hotel.
The tours were developed by Touring Guyana, operated by Shivana Gulchand, and Azure Experiences, operated by Brian and Annie Gomes.
Each of the operators launched two products.
The products were launched in observation of World Tourism Day.
Touring Guyana launched its “A Day in the Country” tour, which includes visits to villages along the East Coast and a mangrove trail walk, as well as its “New Amsterdam Heritage Trail” tour, giving persons the opportunity to visit monuments, historic New Amsterdam heritage buildings and Highbury, where the first ship with indentured labourers arrived along the East Bank of Berbice. The second tour also includes storytelling and the sharing of food from local restaurants in the township.
Meanwhile, Azure Experienc-es, through its new offerings ‘The Kopinang Waterfall Tour’ and the ‘Morning Nature Experience’ is hoping to add a unique twist to adventure-based experiences.
The Kopinang tour, which spans over three days, Annie Gomes explained, will see persons departing Eugene F Correia airport and spending a day in the village of Kopinang before trekking the next day to the waterfalls. After the hours hike through the pristine jungle guided by villagers, visitors will get the opportunity to set up camp at the top of the Kopinang Falls, where they will spend the night. On the third day, they will hike down to the falls and have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cascading water, after which they will return to the village and depart.
Gomes stated that as a bonus on the trip, persons will be able to visit Mahdia and experience the life and culture there during a layover before heading back to the city.
The operators said the tour allows persons to disconnect from the busy-ness of town life and electronics and reconnect with nature. This tour cost Gy$150,000 and includes return airfare.
Their other tour, which starts at daybreak, presents an opportunity for persons relax and focus on the environment around them. This tour occurs at various areas where one can connect with nature.
This experience is said to be refreshing, rejuvenating and invigorating. It begins with a one hour yoga session then will see visitors embark on a short walk through the forest. Afterward, the group returns and enjoys a meal prepared by an internationally trained chef. While this tour can be for friends or individuals, the operators said it is highly recommended for corporate retreats, team building and stress relief.
Speaking at the launch, acting Director at the Guyana Tourism Authority Kamrul Baksh said the products will add to the list of options currently available and that he was elated to see the diversity in them and how much they can enhance a visitor’s experience here.
The GTA, he said, is prepared to work with operators who are finding new opportunities and to develop it into products for the sector.
He added that they working to boost local tourism and plans are in the pipeline to offer more than just technical support to tour operators. The GTA director stressed that in the New Year they will be looking at offering financial support to operators to further aid in the development of their tourism products and operations.
He made the disclosure against the backdrop of questions being asked about what is being done to improve local tourism products.
For this year, the GTA has already launched six of 12 new products. It recently launched the Bush Cow Eco Trails Experience in Nappi Village, Region Nine and the Quarrie Waterfall Tour, also in Region Nine. The other tours are expected to be launched during tourism month.
Across the country multiple activities were held to celebrate World Tourism Day.
Baksh, according to a Depart-ment of Public Information (DPI) report, stated that the celebrations are “…very inclusive, multifaceted and multi-stakeholder[-based].”
Among the activities was the unveiling of a mural at the Canawaima Ferry Stelling in Moleson Creek, Region Six.
