GUYANA OPENS UP TO TOURISTS

Joe McClain - Apr 10, 2007
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The government of Guyana is currently reassessing its approach to the tourist industry. This charming South American country is not attracting as many visitors as it should, though it has many pleasant, but hidden, surprises.

 

Its scenery is very diverse; from flat marshy coastal plains to savannas, plateaus, and mountains  and there are many exciting opportunities to explore and to admire the stunning vistas. The dense forest is home to some exotic fauna and there are many impressive rivers such as the Demera, Berbice, and Essequibo, all teeming with fish. The most spectacular natural sight is undoubtedly the Kaieteur Falls. Here, the wide Potaro River plunges 741 feet downward from the Pakaraima Plateau. This incredible drop is about four times as high as Niagara.

 

Thanks to its preserved natural beauty and environment, Guyana could also become a bird-watcher’s paradise, as over 800 species have already been recognized. The government has launched a special bird tourism plan, in order to support this popular and lucrative branch of tourism.

 

There are, however, problems which need to be dealt with. Transportation within Guyana"s borders is very expensive. Local airlines closed down in 2005 and incoming flights are  infrequent. Also, drugs are a big issue here and create bad publicity, and so the government is taking steps to address this problem.

 

More tourists are coming each year to learn about local culture, which is a marvelous mixture of  Indian, African, European and native elements. It now appears that the number of tourists coming in is on the rise, and if the government’s plan succeeds, Guyana will hope to join the hottest destinations in Southern America.

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