COPA best positioned to help Guyana achieve tourism development

Christophe Didier, Copa’s Vice President of Sales, Copa Holdings (S.A.) seated as part of the panel during the Fifth Plenary Session of the Summit in Georgetown, Guyana

Georgetown: Several airlines serving Guyana and other destinations were provided with a chance to outline the challenges and opportunities they face when they addressed the XXIV Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Tourism held between March 20-21, 2018.

During the Fifth Plenary Session at the OAS Congress hosted in Guyana on Wednesday, March 21, Copa’s Vice President of Sales, Copa Holdings (S.A.), Christophe Didier emphasized that much of the airline’s strength lies in 77% of its total service to smaller markets as well as its reputation of being on time.

Addressing attendees from several Latin American countries including Colombia and Mexico, Didier posited that Copa was noted to be the best airline operating in the Caribbean and South America and disclosed that the Airline would be upgrading its fleet in the coming months as it was “looking to serve all of your countries.”

Mr. Didier noted that much of its focus rests on targeting small cities in various countries so as to ensure wider coverage of services and linkages to areas worldwide.

The Airline conducts 350 daily scheduled flights with four weekly out of Guyana. Copa – a member of Star Alliance – has the ability to reach 1330 airports in 192 countries with over 18,500 daily flights worldwide.

Mr. Didier reminded the audience that Copa has the largest network in Latin America, reaching more international destinations than any carrier. “Panama City is centrally located to connect flights to South America, North America, Central America and the Caribbean,” he said.

The Airline is best poised, he stated, to help Guyana achieve its sustainble tourism development efforts, through its partnerships, alliances, connectivity and vast experience.

“Our practices, policies and core beliefs are aligned with the framework document of the Green State Development Strategy,” he pointed out.

The Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) has been conceptualized to guide Guyana’s economic and sociocultural development over the next 15 years. The objective of the strategy is to reorient and diversify Guyana’s economy, reducing reliance on traditional sectors and opening up new sustainable income and investment opportunities in higher value adding and higher growth sectors.

The XXIV Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Tourism was conducted under the theme; “Connecting the Americas through Sustainable Tourism.” The event brought together the highest tourism authorities of the hemisphere as well as representatives from the private sector, academia and civil society.