The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce is currently looking into the issues of what are touted as an unconscionable component of travelling from North America to Guyana, and its impact on the imminent hosting of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta) X.
This was announced by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, during his most recent press briefing held last week.
According to Luncheon, the component being addressed was the fact that the fare from Trinidad to Guyana was almost sixty per cent of the ticket cost of travelling from North America to Guyana.
“Not only flights by Delta Airlines, but Caribbean Airlines as well.”
He noted that the increased costs of inputs such as fuel and labour cannot be dismissed, but the Trinidad to Guyana component raises issues and, “begs questions as to how could it be properly accounted for.”
According to Luncheon, there should be reasonable levels of increases, but the current prices have gone beyond what is reasonable.
He added that the impact on Carifesta X is being studied, but he expressed confidence in efforts to have on schedule charter service for that period.
This, he said, was one of the main approaches to ensure that prices for tickets do not undermine the universal participation expected.
Attracting international participation from persons in the Diaspora as well as thousands of tourists has been a premier role of the organizers, and this may be affected by the increased fares.

Carifesta X is scheduled to be hosted in Guyana in August, and the ministry is tasked with the responsibility of staging the event. Collaboration has already begun with the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) to heighten awareness in the region to ensure a successful staging of the event in Guyana.
There have also been several promotional Carifesta teasers in North America to attract visitors.
According to Culture Minister Dr Frank Anthony, the event is aimed at promoting the festival culture of the Caribbean, and can be used to promote Guyana as a tourism destination.
Dr Anthony related that his ministry is in collaboration with the Tourism Ministry and several others to ensure a successful staging of the event.
“It will be 10 days of cultural things happening, inclusive of super concerts,” said Dr Anthony.
Most of the activities, according to Dr Anthony, will be centred in Region Four, given that a lot of infrastructure is already in place.
Several venues have been identified for CARIFESTA activities, including the Umana Yana, the National Cultural Centre, the Theatre Guild, the National Conference Centre, the National Park, the National Exhibition Site, the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, the various museums, the National Library, Castellani House, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the National Gymnasium, the University of Guyana, the Parade Ground, the Botanical Gardens, and the Seawall Band Stand, among others.
Among the activities that can be expected during CARIFESTA X are: Performing Arts — music, dance and drama; Literary Arts — book fair, poetry and prose; Visual Arts — film festival, art exhibition; Culinary Arts; Philatelic Arts; Festival Arts – country-specific celebrations; symposia on various aspects of culture and art; super concerts; community festivals; fashion focus; Grand Cultural Market and Trade Fair; Activities of the Indigenous Peoples; CARIFESTA Calypso and Chutney Competition; Steel Pan Music as well as Children/Youth Forum.


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I must commend the govt for addressing this issue. This is extortion by Delta and Caribbean Airlines.

quote:

Originally posted by Spice Girl:
The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce is currently looking into the issues of what are touted as an unconscionable component of travelling from North America to Guyana, and its impact on the imminent hosting of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta) X.
This was announced by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, during his most recent press briefing held last week.

I wouldn't take any economic advise or figures from anyone in the current Guyanese government. They can't even put two and two together, so how would they know anything about air fares and the cost of flying?

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.T:
I wouldn't take any economic advise or figures from anyone in the current Guyanese government. They can't even put two and two together, so how would they know anything about air fares and the cost of flying?

Perhaps, this does not make any sense to you. Clearly you lack reading comprehension!

quote:

Originally posted by Spice Girl:
According to Luncheon, the component being addressed was the fact that the fare from Trinidad to Guyana was almost sixty per cent of the ticket cost of travelling from North America to Guyana. “Not only flights by Delta Airlines, but Caribbean Airlines as well.”

Lazy journalism. The writer should have included some of the fares to give the readers some understanding of the "unreasonable fares".

Open up the Guyana to Caracas route.

Caracas is a major hub for traveling both to Europe and North America (even direct to Africa).

Once there is competition the rates will be reduced.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.T:

quote:

Originally posted by Spice Girl:
The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce is currently looking into the issues of what are touted as an unconscionable component of travelling from North America to Guyana, and its impact on the imminent hosting of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta) X.
This was announced by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, during his most recent press briefing held last week.

I wouldn't take any economic advise or figures from anyone in the current Guyanese government. They can't even put two and two together, so how would they know anything about air fares and the cost of flying?

They travel the world over. How would you know??

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:
They travel the world over.

So??? Do they know the cost of running an airline, or the economics of any one route?
Part of the cost is down to the level of travellers between two destinations. Another cost is down to the amount of fuel that will be needed. Then there are landing costs imposed by the airport operators.
So exactly how much is it supposed to cost to fly between T&T and Guyana? 50 cents? Cost of flying has rocketed in the last 12 months. Basing assumptions on cost by comparing 40% between US and T&T and then 60% between T&T and GY is donkey economics. No wonder Guyana hasn't got a national airline of note.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.T:

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:
They travel the world over.

So??? Do they know the cost of running an airline, or the economics of any one route?

yes! They know!! Do you?

quote:

Originally posted by BLACKBEARD:
Open up the Guyana to Caracas route.

Caracas is a major hub for traveling both to Europe and North America (even direct to Africa).

Once there is competition the rates will be reduced.

Guyana has more seats from NY than caracas does. Trinidad has more from Toronto and barbados more from London and Toronto and NY than caracas.

Do these people know that carifesta is ONE month away. By now if they plan extra service to accommodate demand we should already know about this.

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.T:

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:
They travel the world over.

So??? Do they know the cost of running an airline, or the economics of any one route?

yes! They know!!

And I call you a liar.

Is there any reason why Guyana does not invest in a National Carrier?

quote:

Originally posted by Marilyn:
Is there any reason why Guyana does not invest in a National Carrier?

Yep, it is darn expensive . Aviation fuel is now twice what it was last year this time. Luncheon is still using 2006 prices to complain about 2008 air fares.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.T:

quote:

Originally posted by Marilyn:
Is there any reason why Guyana does not invest in a National Carrier?

Yep, it is darn expensive . Aviation fuel is now twice what it was last year this time. Luncheon is still using 2006 prices to complain about 2008 air fares.

The Guyana Gov't is probably blacklisted by the FAA from operating an airline because of the many drug shipments and hefty fines that they have had to pay which resulted in Guyana Airways going under! Another PPP achievement!

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.T:

quote:

Originally posted by Marilyn:
Is there any reason why Guyana does not invest in a National Carrier?

Yep, it is darn expensive . Aviation fuel is now twice what it was last year this time. Luncheon is still using 2006 prices to complain about 2008 air fares.

They should ask Jet of India to run the route.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.T:

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.T:

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:
They travel the world over.

So??? Do they know the cost of running an airline, or the economics of any one route?

yes! They know!!

And I call you a liar.

And you are very very stupid...

If I travel from toronto to Guyana, I would travel to Buffalo where the airfare is $199 to Miami. There I would take another Airline to Caracas for $250 and hence to guyana. This shouldn't cost more than $600.

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:
If I travel from toronto to Guyana, I would travel to Buffalo where the airfare is $199 to Miami. There I would take another Airline to Caracas for $250 and hence to guyana. This shouldn't cost more than $600.

So you gun tek a dankey cart from Venezuela to Guyana?

quote:

Originally posted by Lion King:

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:
If I travel from toronto to Guyana, I would travel to Buffalo where the airfare is $199 to Miami. There I would take another Airline to Caracas for $250 and hence to guyana. This shouldn't cost more than $600.

So you gun tek a dankey cart from Venezuela to Guyana?

If you are the donkey, Yes!

Wow!!!!!Delta now asking for $1838 round trip

:
Sun, 27 Jul 2008
Leave JFK 1:10am Arrive 7:00am
GEO Nonstop 5 hr 50 min Delta 383

Sun, 3 Aug 2008
Leave GEO 9:00am Arrive 2:45pm
JFK Nonstop 5 hr 45 min Delta 384

quote:

Wow!!!!!Delta now asking for $1838 round trip

:
Sun, 27 Jul 2008
Leave JFK 1:10am Arrive 7:00am
GEO Nonstop 5 hr 50 min Delta 383

Sun, 3 Aug 2008
Leave GEO 9:00am Arrive 2:45pm
JFK Nonstop 5 hr 45 min Delta 384

Gupta, I hope that is business class?

Both Caribbean Airlines and Delta are saying that coach seats are not available but Business class, not First Class, seats are at that high price. I think Caribbean Airlines price is about $1200 for those travel times.

quote:

Both Caribbean Airlines and Delta are saying that coach seats are not available but Business class, not First Class, seats are at that high price. I think Caribbean Airlines price is about $1200 for those travel times.

Thanks,what a crying shame,because I can fly Delta to London for $399 right now. So much for the underserved destination.

quote:

Originally posted by Ireton:

quote:

Both Caribbean Airlines and Delta are saying that coach seats are not available but Business class, not First Class, seats are at that high price. I think Caribbean Airlines price is about $1200 for those travel times.

Thanks,what a crying shame,because I can fly Delta to London for $399 right now. So much for the underserved destination.

That is the U.S. way of discouraging unsuspecting fools from travelling to Guyana!