By Kurt Campbell
Kurt@newsroom.gy
In a symbolic laying of the foundation on Sunday, Guyana is set to welcome its largest world-class investment in tourism and hospitality with the construction of the Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Centre.
The five-star investment is being made by private investors out of Qatar [Assets Group] and with construction expected to start immediately, the facility is set to be completed in three years, promising to add to the hotel industry 260 rooms and suites, 150 service apartments and premium villas.
The facility, which local authorities say will herald a new era in tourism and hospitality, will be constructed on prime seafront land along Carifesta Avenue, opposite the National Park.
During a simple but significant groundbreaking ceremony, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneigde Walrond said Sunday’s occasion will be historic to the transformation of the local tourism and hospitality sector.
“This investment is not in a vacuum, it is in the context of the larger vision and strategy for the hospitality industry that we are well on our way to implementing,” Walrond said as she noted the ongoing construction of 10 new hotels, many of which are set for opening later this year.
This is complemented by upgrades to indigenous hotels, new airlines and added flights for travelers and efforts to ensure Guyana continues to host mega sporting and business events.
Last week, the sod was turned to commence the construction of the US$7 million Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute (HTTI) in Berbice, Region Six. Even without the institute, some 6,000 Guyanese were trained in the hospitality sector last year.
“I want to assure the Assets Group and other investors that we are working to ensure an integrated framework for investment in the hospitality sector and I want to assure citizens of Guyana and residents of Georgetown that the vision for development is sustainable and being rolled out with care for the environment,” the minister noted as she spoke of improvements to the national park and development of other safe recreational spaces.
“Our strategy sensibly balances the need for economic opportunities and preserving the environment for future generations.”
Details on the project were provided by Ramez Al-Khayyat, the President and CEO of Power International Holding, a Qatari-based conglomerate that operates across general contracting, real estate, food and agriculture, hospitality, and services.
He boasted of the unique design which was done with the country and people in mind and noted that in addition to the 400 rooms, the facility will have retail units for food and beverages, high luxury fashion brands, state of the art health club and a convention centre with cutting edge facilities.
A direct cost for the project was not provided but Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali noted that with the 10 hotels currently under construction amounting collectively more than US$250 million, this single resort might be just about that figure.
He thanked the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani for leading the expansion of the relationship between the two countries which led to this massive private investment.
The Head of State acknowledged that stakeholders require a certain level of quality and noted that the Government of Guyana was looking to ensure that is offered in its totality with new public infrastructure and improvements to drainage and sewage networks, all towards making Georgetown one of the most beautiful green cities in the world.
He said with a natural expansion to the borders of the city, efforts are underway for further development and beautification but outside the city, Dr. Ali talked up the development of luxury eco lodges to boost eco-tourism equally.
He said by the end of 2024, with at least five new hotels set for opening, a total of 1,300 world-class rooms will be added to the local industry.
And with proposals still being made, he teased that “new announcements being made before the end of the year.”
Don’t touch the National Park…. ever.
Let it remain the way it is for all children and adults to grace its space.
No amount of money can buy the National Park.
It’s a treasure.