Georgetown: Guyana participated for the first time at Sea Trade, the world’s largest B2B cruise trade show in Fort Lauderdale from March 13 – 17, 2016. The Guyana delegation was headed by GTA’s Director, Indranauth Haralsingh and included Ms. Teri O’Brian – General Manager of Wilderness Explorers.
Seatrade Cruise Global 2016 is where the cruise industry professional community gathered for a week of networking, sourcing, innovation and education; participants were afforded the opportunity to attend a 4-day educational conference programme and network with industry leaders from all corners of the industry.
According to the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh, the country’s attendance allowed for a more targeted approach to expanding Guyana’s network and visibility.
Guyana’s strategy is to reach the small ship market and niche cruising, luxury, expedition and adventure ships (1000 pax and less).
He explained that Seatrade Cruise Global is the cruise industry's premier global event, bringing together all facets of the international cruise business — including cruise lines, suppliers, travel agents and partners — for a week of networking, sourcing, innovation and education.
“This is indeed the epicenter of the international cruise industry, and Guyana was present to take advantage of that. We would like to see increased cruise visits and are eager to have Guyana included in more Cruise time tables,” Haralsingh stated.
He continued, “Interest is high as cruise liners are looking for new destinations, new routes, small ports, adventure. Seatrade 2016 presented Destination Guyana with a unique opportunity to meet, network with and negotiate with valued cruise partners including executives of cruise lines, Sea Trade and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association. Seatrade provided the platform to also create more awareness of Guyana as a ‘cruise destination’ as we are strategically positioned within the Caribbean region which is the largest receiving cruise destination in the world. Additionally, Guyana’s close proximity to the popular routes of several major cruise liners en-route to Brazil and Southern South America provides a new off the beaten path English speaking destination sought by cruise liners and passengers.”
Alluding to the direct benefits for Guyana, the GTA Director noted that he was able to meet with representatives from small cruise companies and took advantage to promote Guyana as a Cruise Destination.
Additionally, meetings were held with the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association, Saga Cruise Line, Noble Caledonia Cruise Line, Newport Maritime – a Cruise Tourism Development Consultancy Firm, Carvalho’s Agency ( Cruise Development Firm) from Trinidad and with Mr. Dexter Trim, Transportation Analyst from the Tobago House of Assembly.
This will yield more cruise business for the country, in direct support of the Government’s vision to transform the nation into an economic powerhouse.
Additionally there are plans to promote Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Trinidad as a Cluster for Cruise Liners.
Formerly known as Cruise Shipping Miami, Seatrade Cruise Global carries a more than 30-year legacy as the leading exhibition and conference to connect cruise industry exhibitors and attendees from around the world.
The annual international event has experienced significant growth, drawing more than 11,000 registered attendees and nearly 800 exhibitors, representing 93 countries – a truly global market.
The Caribbean is the #1 Cruise destination in the world and received 24.4m cruise visitors in 2015; this number is expected to grow by 2% in 2016.
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