Minister Walrond Predicts Surge in Visitor Arrivals, Urges Tourism Sector to Prepare

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, has called on stakeholders in the tourism sector to prepare for an anticipated increase in visitor arrivals.

During an engagement session at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Minister Walrond addressed representatives from hotels, lodges, resorts, restaurants, bars, and tour operators.

The minister highlighted indicators showing a significant surge in bookings for the ICC World Cup and Cricket Carnival periods.

While bookings typically peak in July and August and during Cricket Carnival, visitor numbers are expected to remain high for the rest of the year.

“I implore you to maintain the energy we put into showcasing our service and country this week for the coming months, as we will be seeing more and more visitors coming to our shores,” Minister Walrond advised.

She emphasized the importance of improving the visitor experience through enhanced customer service, year-round tourism strategies, facility upgrades, and effective marketing efforts.

The upcoming ICC T20 semi-final match and other national events were noted as key opportunities.

Minister Walrond stressed the critical role of each business in prioritizing professionalism and hospitality to leave a lasting impression on visitors.

She pointed out that tourism remains a key income earner and that the government’s deliberate strategy is to maintain a steady influx of visitors every month.

Following the engagement, a decision was made to hold quarterly meetings with tourism stakeholders to foster greater transparency and collaborative efforts to propel the industry forward.

The session was co-chaired by Permanent Secretary Sharon Roopchand-Edwards and Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Kamrul Baksh.