Guyana, Suriname tourism associations in talks to improve ferry travel

The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and its counterpart, Suriname Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHATA) are in discussions to improve the Canawaima Ferry Service.

During an interview with the News Room, THAG President Mitra Ramkumar said the outdated ferry service is a barrier that reduces the efficiency of multi-destintion travel.

It is suggested that the service be improved to mimic the one for traveling along Guyana’s Essequibo River.

“We have been talking to our Surinamese counterpart to say let’s have a system similar to what we have in the Essequibo – the breeze pass system. It has to be both sides agreeing before we can get that done. We need to ensure there is hassle free travel,” Ramkumar said.

He said the Memorandum of Understanding recently signed between the two associations aims to promote a multi-destination product involving Guyana, Suriname, and French Guyana. THAG is holding conversations with the representatives in these countries in effort to elevate the current travel arrangements.

Ideally, the system would allow persons the option of securing a spot on the ferry early on but that is not the case. He said, “You gotta get there two, three O’Clock in the morning and hope that you get on.”

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and newly elected Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons also met at the weekend when the two leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation.

One such topic was the ferry service, which both leaders committed to reviewing and improving the reliability and efficiency of the service. Both also signalled support for advancing a wider regional ferry project to strengthen integration.

He further noted that the association is excited about the bridge that will connect the two countries. This is the Corentyne River bridge, a critical infrastructure for strengthening connectivity between the countries.

Further, the two associations are partnering to promote tourism products through other means.  

“The benefit of doing conferences, doing events such as these for the destination, we have a lot of people traveling, we have a lot of traffic and it’s widespread [benefits],” Mitra said.

An upcoming conference is slated for October at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.