Lelystad

Suriname Tourism

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• published: 14 Feb 2014
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Suriname is not as yet a highly seasoned tourism destination, such as those one can find in the wider Caribbean. Most visitors who travel from abroad to our country have close relatives living here, or were born in Suriname. However this trend has changed, rapidly during the last two decades. According to statistical data provided by the Suriname Tourism Foundation, overall tourist arrivals over the past years noted a significant increase from 60,000 visitors in 2002 to more than 150,000 visitors in 2006 and 175.000 in 2009. The number increased even more in 2010, when 205,001 visitors were registered. More and more focused initiatives have been taken to improve the tourism sector while high standards of professionalism were introduced. For example, owners of warungs, the cozy small typical Indonesian food stands along the East West road, took a French language course so as to better communicate with their clients from French Guyana and offer them better service. Moreover, tour guides are trained in wildlife knowledge, in order to be able to point out various species of flora and fauna to the people under their guidance. As regards accommodation, at present the number of apartments and small hotels is 253; there is a wide range of possibilities, varying from basic and adventurous to very comfortable. Tourists don't have to bathe in the river or sleep in a hammock if they do not want to. There are choices now -- hot waters, water closets, comfortable beds.