Guyana among 12 emerging travel destinations for 2016

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Wednesday January 13, 2016 – Guyana is one of the 12 emerging destinations to visit this year, according to Business Insider UK.

The South American country is the only Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nation featured.

Broadcast journalist and photojournalist Anisha Shah explains that 2016 is all about emerging destinations.

“Wilderness, wildlife and culture; these themes will illuminate the year’s travel itineraries. Escapism and authenticity are key and nowhere offers them quite like fledgling and far-flung nations,” she said.

In sharing her perception of the destination, Shah, who is now a freelance journalist for CNN, BBC Travel and Huffington Post wrote:

“Dripping in rainforests, Guyana’s untouched pristine interior is sparsely populated, home only to few Amerindian villages. Wildlife far outnumbers the people, with jaguars, pumas and sloths the real locals. The majority of people inhabit the Northeastern narrow Atlantic Ocean coastline of blonde castaway beaches backed by dense forest, home to endangered sea turtles. Kaieteur Falls, one of the grandest falls you’ve never heard of, is the world’s widest single-drop waterfall, peaking at 76m and encased in virgin ancient jungle. Seeing it by tiny charter flight is unforgettable.”

“Why Now? You’ve heard of Iguazu and Angel Falls, read about Galapagos wildlife and Brazil’s rainforest but Guyana is a small nation with all of the above, where you won’t come across another tourist…just yet.”

Tourism Minister Catherine Hughes said the country’s unique blend of tourism products is as rich and as attractive as those found in any part of the world.

She also noted that the destination has the potential to attract a wide cross section of travelers with varying interests, and the ability to lure those looking for unique adventures in “off the beaten path” destinations .

“The tourism sector is very important for showcasing a country’s cultural diversity, as well as its socio-economic potential. With the attention that ‘Guyana- South America Undiscovered’ is receiving, there is no doubt that the sector will be propelled to greater heights in 2016,” Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority Indranauth Haralsingh added.

“We have made great strides in promoting Guyana, and the country is now internationally recognized as a viable eco-tourism destination. We have much more to offer through our many niche products.”

Over the years, destination Guyana has gained other international recognition, including on ‘National Geographic Traveler 2014’s must-see places on planet earth’ and BBC Travel’s ‘Five destinations you should know more about’.