With a high-end market in focus, the Government is gearing to direct greater attention to the tourism sector. Among the focal areas are eco-,Cheap Mens Jordan Sneakers, nature and adventure tourism, which according to Minister with responsibility for Tourism, Irfaan Ali, are areas that normally attract tourists with the resources who operate at a very high level.“We are focusing heavily on tourism…we are going to put as much energy into tourism and we are working closely with the Tourism and Hospital Association of Guyana (THAG),” Ali related during a recent business forum at the Guyana International Conference Centre.He revealed that Government’s objective is to ensure that Guyana’s tourism sector competes with the rest of the Caribbean, and hopefully within three to five years,Wholesale Jerseys, try to overtake what is happening in the regional sphere.A focus on the high-end market is strategic, since according to Ali, that market controls most of the spending in the tourism sector.Speaking to the existing tourism situation, he disclosed that for this year there has already been an 18. 9 per cent increase in arrivals. He added that in August alone, when the ‘Rediscover Home’ Campaign was launched, there was a marked increase in arrivals when figures are compared to last year.“We have seen tremendous improvement in occupancy of rooms and we have also seen a shift in terms of the numbers coming out from different regions,” he related.The United States, according to Ali,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys, accounted for some 57 per cent of tourists, while those visiting from Canada were just about 14 per cent. Estimates from the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), reveal that in Georgetown, there was a near 70 per cent occupancy rate thus far for this year, while in the Rupununi, there was a perhaps 90 per cent occupancy rate.The occupancy rate, the Tourism Minister said, reflects an increase in room usage in Guyana from 750 in 2007 to 2,616 in 2012. This development, he opined, is poised for improvement with the coming on stream of the new Marriott Hotel, which according to him, will add tremendously to the tourism industry.Ali also eagerly pointed to the Ogle International Airport, which he regarded as one of the showpieces of Guyana’s expansion and development, even as he highlighted that it is one of the busiest in the Caribbean.“The last figures suggest that there is flight movement every four minutes and that has since improved tremendously…we have even seen an addition to the fleet,” he added. This, according to the Minister is coupled with the introduction of private jets for the first time in Guyana.These measures aimed at bolstering tourism come at a time when the Housing Sector is showing signs of continued growth, said Ali, who also holds responsibility for the Ministry of Housing and Water. He pointed out that Government has its sights on about 30,000 house lots, which will be targeted for distribution over the next three to four years.“This,Cheap Jerseys Online, as you know, will also add to economic growth and expansion,” Ali assured,Blake Swihart Jersey, noting that despite the fact that the global recession had impacted most countries of the world, Guyana was able to sustain economic growth of approximately five per cent over the last five years.

With three more days left before the ruling People’s Progressive Party holds its 30th National Congress, its highest decision-making forum, the party is confident it can win outright, any elections that is called.Senior official,Jerseys NFL China, Clement Rohee, yesterday also insisted that the PPP remains a united force heading into the three-day congress beginning Friday at the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School, Port Mourant, East Berbice.Following the loss of its Parliamentary majority following the November 2011 elections, there have been speculations that the party was a fragmented one. Not so, Rohee insisted yesterday.PPP’s Executive Secretary, Zulficar Mustapha and Central Committee Member,Cheap Jerseys From China Outlet, Clement Rohee.“…I think I have a sense of the adrenaline flowing in the party…this party is always prepared for any eventuality.”Rohee,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, a long-serving member of the Central Committee, and the current Minister of Home Affairs, said that the PPP has the necessary machinery and leadership and stands “ready for the road.”PPP, he said, would prefer to educate the people of Guyana of the “stumbling blocks” to major projects and in Parliament placed by the Opposition. It is only after this education process of informing the people that PPP would make a decision on the possibilities.He said that the PPP has been evaluating its errors and will do so again this weekend at the Congress. It will be an uphill task with hard work required for the party to rebuild. “It can be accomplished, it will be accomplished, but hard work is required.”During the party’s weekly press conference yesterday at its headquarters in Robb Street, Rohee defended the ruling party. He said that it has not moved away from the legacy of its founders…the Jagans. Had that been the case, “Rohee would not have been there.”Rohee, who is chairing the National Congress Committee that is charged with organizing the event did not rule out the possibility of shared governance being an item on the agenda during the Berbice forum. However, the party is still assessing the submissions of the issues.The congress, while according to Rohee is not the most critical one, would be significant in a number of ways. It has been taken back to Berbice, traditionally considered a stronghold of the PPP. It will also be the first time in the 50-year history of the party that none of the Jagans…Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Mrs. Janet Jagan…will be present.One of its high ranking executives, two-time Speaker of the House, Ralph Ramkarran, resigned last year,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys, citing the party’s intolerance to criticisms of corruption.There have been speculations,Wholesale NFL Jerseys China, though unconfirmed that there may be nominations for the position of the General Secretary, currently considered the leader of the party. That position is currently held by President Donald Ramotar, who is to take charge of the proceedings this weekend.According to Rohee yesterday, the party’s Central Committee, its second highest decision-making forum, would be presenting a critical report on the party’s performance in the last five years, a review of the 2011 general elections and the way forward.The congress is also set to attract the largest ever number of delegates and observers, with representatives of a number of overseas groups from the UK, US and Canada also expected.Rohee was not in a position to discuss the nominations for the executive positions as these were still being considered by the Credentials Committee of the party.Among other things, the party will, during a number of workshops, be looking into the current political situation, Parliament and the 2011 elections, youth and the international situation.