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GEORGETOWN, Guyana -- Irfaan Ali, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (ag) has launched the ‘Rediscover Home’ special package for Holi -- the Festival of Colours -- in an effort to encourage Guyanese in the Diaspora to come back to their homeland and be a part of the celebrations.

This pilot package is being made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) with the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Caribbean Airlines and participating hotels.

The seven nights/eight days during March 2 to 9, 2012, dubbed ‘Gateway to the Festival of Colours celebration’, seeks to encourage Guyanese from the Diaspora and visitors to come to ‘Destination Guyana’ and be a part of its rich culture and celebrate Holi or Phagwah – the Festival of Colours.

The package includes airfare, seven night hotel accommodation, daily breakfast and entrance to all the Holi events being organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha during this period, including its Phagwah Mela and Bazaar, which includes a folk dance festival on February 25; the finals of the Chowtaal Samalan on March 4; and on March 8 (Holi Day) its traditional Holi Utsaav in Georgetown, while there will be nationwide Holi celebrations.

The Sabha is also looking at bringing to Guyana for the first time ever some of the stars from the popular ZEE TV Indian series.

Ali said this move signals the start of collaboration between the government and the private sector to market and promote ‘Destination Guyana’ through packaging, and to boost tourism and attract more visitors to the country, which has a lot to offer with its ecological, nature and adventure based tourism combined with a rich culture and heritage.

Encouraging the private sector to continue to package and promote Guyana’s unique tourism product, he said the special package during the Festival of Colours will help to showcase and promote part of the country’s rich and diverse culture.

He said this pilot package will ensure that Guyana’s tourism product is enhanced, marketed and be “successful at the end of the day” and the partnership sees a wide cross section of players in the tourism and hospitality industry coming onboard.

He said this event will form part of the Ministry of Tourism’s overarching motto this year of ‘Rediscover Home’ targeting persons to come back to their homeland and enjoy what Guyana has to offer.

Noting that the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is a key player in putting together the package, he said it will showcase and market Guyana’s unique and diverse culture, and in this regard, he said they are hoping to offer a one-week package during Independence.

He also alluded to the progressive approach taken by Caribbean Airlines to offer low fares and said, “This is a great start as we try to package our tourism product.”

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