| As preparations intensify for the upcoming yacht rally set to begin next week, the Tourism Ministry has taken a multiagency approach in order to see the event’s success.The third annual Nereid’s Yacht Rally is set to open on September 11, with a reception at the Hurakabra River Resort in the Essequibo River.The event will run until September 17. Yachts are expected to arrive from Chaguaramas, Trinidad, from today.So far, preparations seem to be moving smoothly. A number of agencies have got on board to help the Ministry of Tourism execute this event. These agencies are the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Immigration Division, the Ministry of Public Health,Wholesale NFL Jerseys China, the Coast Guard, Region Seven Administration and the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD).A press conference was held on Thursday afternoon to update the media on the preparations so far. Before this briefing,Cheap NFL Jerseys, however, a high level meeting was held among the agencies.During the meeting, roles and expected outcomes were discussed and agreed upon by all in attendance.For the upcoming event, Customs/GRA is expected to expeditiously process and clear the yachts on arrival at Bartica, as well as appoint a liaison or contact person in Bartica.In regard to Immigration and the police, these two bodies will be maintaining security and ensuring that yachts are safe when at anchor during clearance at Bartica.Furthermore, the coast guard is expected to maintain a 24-hour present at Hurakabra for the duration of the rally, ensure that there is on-board communication equipment, assist with directing the docking of speed boats, and patrol the area.The Region Seven administration will ensure that the Bartica waterfront is clear of litter, as well as by advising speedboat operators at Bartica of the impending arrival of the yachts.Additionally, the Health Ministry will provide yellow fever vaccines if required.Details were also worked out for the expected visitors, including their travel and accommodation. Interest was expressed in incorporating elements of Amerindian culture since September is Indigenous Heritage Month.Additionally, CANU shared its willingness to play a role, and indicated that its officials are already in place to facilitate the event. Guyana’s Customs and Immigration Department, was also hailed for having an excellent reputation and was urged to continue the good work going forward with the event.Huge potentialDuring the press conference, President of the GTA, Indranauth Haralsingh, emphasised that the yachting industry in Guyana held huge potential. He added that this potential can be lived up to with serious investors.“I must say that Guyana has tremendous potential for yachting and we’re moving closer to realising this potential as we have a number of seriously interested investors who are keen on establishing,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, whether it is a haul-out facility or boatyard or mariner, in Guyana,” Haralsingh said.He added that investments would help to move Guyana from its current potential to complete readiness to host and welcome more yachts. He added that the yachting industry has the potential to drastically open the country’s job market.He said, too, that Trinidad is a good example of realized potential.“We have a good example close by to us in Trinidad, mainly Chaguaramas, which more than 20 years ago was all mangrove. Now it is transformed into a massive mariner.”Additionally, Haralsingh said that Guyana’s potential is increased due to the fact that it is a safe haven for yachts.“We’re further south of Trinidad,Jerseys Wholesale, we are out of the hurricane belt or zone and we all know what happened recently in the Caribbean when a hurricane passed through,” he noted. He said that Guyana also has a “strategic location” right at the top of South America.Haralsingh gave a rundown of the upcoming rally. He explained that the yachters who arrive will be treated to tours to different sites around Guyana, including Kaieteur Falls and historical landmarks in Georgetown. A Beach Day will be held on September 13 and will be open to the general public with tickets costing $17,000 each. These tickets are available at the GTA or the National Cultural Centre.Persons who are already in Bartica will pay $6,000 for the event,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys, a substantially lower figure.After Guyana, the yachts are heading to Suriname and French Guiana.According to Hurakabra Proprietor, Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento, the rally “helps promote Guyana as a premiere yachting destination because it’s a unique way of bringing yachts to a country.”He said that each year the event becomes bigger and better and sees wider participation as its popularity grows. He added that it is an event known throughout the Caribbean and links Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana together.Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes and a team recently visited Chaguaramas in Trinidad to meet with the potential yacht owners who will be coming for this rally. So far there are about 10 yachts confirmed to be coming along with about 18 sailors. The participants will hail from a number of countries including Sweden, England, the USA,Jerseys NFL Cheap, and Trinidad. |
