The Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, through the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), has launched a special Diwali tour initiative aimed at celebrating the Festival of Lights while strengthening Guyana’s cultural tourism brand.
According to GTA Director Kamrul Baksh, the initiative is designed to provide both locals and visitors with an opportunity to experience the beauty and traditions of Diwali in a meaningful way. “The Diwali tours are going to capture what is happening across the country during the festive season. We have worked with tour operators to design packages that combine cultural activities with visits to key sites,” he explained.
As part of the experience, visitors will be taken to heritage locations such as the Palmyra monument in Berbice and the Indian Monument Gardens in Georgetown. They will also enjoy cultural demonstrations, traditional dances, and the opportunity to sample authentic Diwali cuisine. “The goal is to deliver a quality, in-depth cultural journey where persons can not only see but also participate in the celebration,” Baksh said.
Tour operators such as Touring Guyana, Trailmasters, Visit Guyana, and Wanderlust have already partnered with the GTA, with additional operators expected to join in the coming weeks.
Baksh also noted that this is just the beginning of a broader cultural tourism push. “We will be doing this for all the major festivals and national events, Easter, Christmas, Independence, Mashramani, and others. The idea is to keep promoting Guyana’s cultural calendar and position these events as major attractions for both the diaspora and international visitors,” he added.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues has repeatedly underscored the government’s commitment to developing tourism through a year-round calendar of events. She has pointed out that each quarter will feature at least one major national celebration supported by international marketing efforts.
The Minister has also encouraged hotels and tour operators to create packages tailored to the diaspora, who remain an essential part of Guyana’s tourism market. She further urged the development of affordable staycation options to ensure that locals also benefit from the expanded cultural calendar.
Details of the new Diwali tours, including itineraries and booking information, are available through the GTA’s social media pages and participating tour companies.
