SURINAME TRAVEL & TOURISM

Misgunst Plantation in Saramacca district in  Suriname

Recent data on the republic of Suriname's tourism industry are optimistic for the longterm expectations and show  growth compared to  our Carifesta year 2013. The direct contribution of Travel & Tourism in Suriname to GDP was  SRD 227.3mn (1.2% of total GDP) in 2015, and is forecast to fall by 0.2% in 2016, and to rise by 4.2%pa, from 2016 - 2026, to SRD 342.1mn (1.1% of total GDP) in 2026.'                                                                                                                                                     'The total contribution of Travel &Tourism to GDP was SRD 557.1mn (2.9% of GDP) in 2015, and forecast to fall by 0.6% in 2016, and to rise by 4.2%pa to SRD 837.8mn (2.8%of GDP) in 2026'

Free Mason Lodge in Paramaribo, Suriname

 In spite of the forecast of decline in 2016,   tourism will gain momentum in the coming decade according to data  published by the World Travel Tourism Council in March 2016.                                                                                                                                           

In its Annual report  on Economic Impact of Travel & Tourism  the WTTC  ranks the smallest American country Suriname out of 184 countries  'nr. 174   for it relevance of Travel and Tourism for total contribution to GDP,                                                                                                                                                            nr.181,

at  for its size in 2015 in terms of Absolute impact,                                               

at nr. 170   for its relative size and contribution to GDP in 2015,and                              at nr 97   for its long term growth  forecast 2016-2026.                                     'Leisure travel spending is expected to grow by 0.3% in 2016 to SRD 371. 6mn, and rise by 5.1% pa to  SRD204.7mn in 2026.                                                                  Business travel spending is expected to grow by 05.% in 2016 to 168.4mn, and rise by 2.0% pa to SRD 204.7mn in 2026'                           

City center of Suriname's capital Paramaribo

                                                                                                 Suriname has a short distance to climb uphill to reach the 2006 level of tourism revenues and  should be able to move beyond towards sustainable expansion of the Travel and Tourism industry . In 2015  Travel and Tourism accounted for 5,500 jobs  and this figure is expected to rise in the next ten years to 6000 jobs in 2026. Forecasts predict an increasing  foreign  and local tourist spending contribution to our GNP.

Saramacca District 

Although Suriname is nowhere near the countries which systematically and substantially boost their national  income with revenues from the Travel & Tourism industry the expectations for growth are clearly indicated  for the coming decade.

 survival camp in the Jungle

Suriname's government will be investing heavily in education in tourism related professions  such as, hospitality hosts, tour guides/translators, tourism planners, tour operators, tourism managers and  also legal measures are scheduled to upgrade Suriname's  Travel & Tourism industry. It is important to note in this respect that our National carrier SLM has the European Amsterdam Schiphol and USA Miami as well as  regional Curacao, Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana, Trinidad connections and  is thriftily working at improving its destination package to open up gateways to Suriname . This is an important element of the total improvement package that is needed for  tourism branding and marketing of Suriname.

guests arriving at Misgunst plantation

Suriname's tour operators who are the first to feel  a drop  in tourist visits, are already looking for common grounds  to improve their services and are looking for investors who can help develop the tourism industry in Suriname.

  Senior Ferdi empowering youths at Misgunst plantation

The SOEKTSA foundation which started SOEKTSA Jungle Survival Camp tourism  at Misgunst Plantation in

Misgunst Jungle Path in Saramacca district.Suriname

the Saramacca district in 2014, is expecting to see more cooperation between various stakeholders  to boost the tourism industry in Suriname on all levels. District tourism which is promoted by Jaya Experience Suriname,  is a viable option which deserves  serious investment and can offer a variety of  feasible contributions to the national package of tourist destinations in Suriname. Support from the ministries of Trade, Industry,Education, Tourism and Communication  can strengthen operations of local entrepreneurial activities  in Eco tourism , Education tourism, Wellness tourism , Agro tourism and multi-cultural Arts and crafts production & sales.

team building exercise in the tropical rainforest at Misgunst plantation

Jungle survival training  in the jungle at Misgunst  

Without cooperation no substantial change will be achieved. Experts have already suggested a cooperation between Suriname and Dutch speaking Caribbean Islands, to offer tourists packages which include sun, sea, beaches as well as Suriname's tropical rainforest and multi cultural, musical diversity



Foreign Affairs is trying to find cooperation and investment contracts to boost our economy as a whole and our Travel and Tourism in particular. These efforts could expand the traditional Europe focused tourist marketing to Dutch speaking countries  Netherlands, Belgium and also to Germany , Austria and Switzerland  and should also open up new markets for Suriname in the Middle East, Africa , China and Asian nations 

The data on Suriname's tourism don't lie and planning  as well as monitoring a strategy for the coming decade is crucial, to successful branding and marketing of Suriname as a favorite tourism hub. A clearly defined and nationally supported tourism strategy  is the only way to boost our economy with revenues from the Travel & Tourism industry. It is time everyone realizes that Suriname has no other  option if it wants to earn its share  in the booming  global tourism business.

Martha Tjoe Nij

SOEKTSA Foundation