President of Guyana Donald Ramotar (centre) cuts the ribbon to officially open the Marriott Guyana this morning. He is assisted by Finance Minister Ashanti Singh and Marriott International executive Brenda Durham.<br />(Photos: Pete Sankey)<br /><br />
April 15, 2015
Guyana Marriott hotel opens amid protests
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Guyana Marriott, the first major hotel to be built in the South American country in 40 years, was officially opened this morning in the capital, Georgetown.
However, shortly before the official opening by Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar, a group of Opposition protesters gathered outside the gates of the facility to protest against the cost overrun on the project – a private/public partnership.
The protesters, who accused the Government of corruption, said the top management jobs have gone to Indian Guyanese and that there was no transparency in the execution of the project.
Marriott executive Brenda Durham said the hotel has employed 200 Guyanese, who underwent more that 300 hours of training.
Pete Sankey
<span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; display: inline ! important; float: none; background-color: #e5e5e5;”>The Guyana Marriott Hotel</span>
Opposition protestors outside the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, Guyana Thursday morning.<br /><br />
