Guyana, Barbados commit to joint destination marketing

Barbados and Guyana have committed to jointly market both of their unique destinations to the world that could someday see the two become a regional tourist powerhouse.

This commitment was made both the Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry, Oneidge Waldron and the Barbadian Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Lisa Cummings on Friday at a simple ceremony to mark newcomer Inter-Caribbean’s inaugural flight from Barbados to Guyana.

Inter-Caribbean safely arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with 48 passengers on board, including the Bajan government official who stated that Guyana, though it does not sport white sandy beaches and clear blue water, holds similar qualities to Barbados as it relates to its unique tourism offerings.

“This is why Guyana and Barbados at the level of government and certainly between the two Tourism Ministries have committed to joint destination marketing…. the sun, the sand, the beaches of Barbados and the beautiful forestry and inland areas of Guyana – we commit to partnering together to market those two destinations to the world,” the Bajan government official stated.

Added to that, Minister Cummings called for more “cargo trade” between the two CARICOM nations where goods from Barbados are marketed and sold in Guyana and vice versa, creating a new market for locals to benefit.

“Those are just tremendous opportunities for us to develop…which will also help to develop closer relations between the two countries,” she added.

Barbados has already committed to helping Guyana’s Tourism Sector with over 6,000 Guyanese set to receive world class training in hospitality to enhance local capacity.

According to Minister Cummings, both countries will allow airtime on each other’s local stations “to share whatever opportunities exist in the sector.”

Her statements were endorsed by Minister Waldron who pledged to continue to partner with Barbados as the government pushes to develop ‘Destination Guyana’.

“Eyes are turned to Guyana, tourists are coming to Guyana – the leisure traveller and the business traveller are all turning to Guyana and Guyana is a prime spot for these kinds of investment,” she said.