For the last few months, a new backdrop has been tearing up social media and the web; the I Love Guyana sign.

Not just a sign but a signal to the world that we are proud of who we are as Guyanese, the sign was constructed at a $5 Million dollar price tag but just over a quarter-year after its official unveiling, it has more than paid for itself.

It has become a mainstay for tourists now flocking the capital city and has even been the center-piece of many competitions thus far.

Regarded as major signal of GuyanaÕs thrust towards the Ôdestination GuyanaÕ dream, the sign is as bold a symbol as ever that we as a country are going all out to put the 592 on the map.

President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) Mitra Ramkumar believes this and more.

ÒIt means a whole lot, as I have said, we see this more than a sign. We see this as a symbol of national pride, of unity, of love for country and patriotism. We believe that this is the catalyst of positive change that we talk about and we hope that this will grow and Blossom.Ó

According to the THAG president, this is the first of many things that the country has in store for tourists.

ÒWe spoke about this area being a tourist park and with the establishment of tourism police, all of this means so much to look forward to in 2020.Ó

What I believe a lot of people need to understand is that when you speak tourism, itÕs not just about a hotel or a resort or a lodge; itÕs about a destination. Its about getting all the people involved because everyone is involved in tourism.Ó From the taxi driver, to the security to the immigration officers, everyone.Ó

The combined support of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Impressions and THAG, the sign stands proudly infront of the GBTI head office in Kingston, bordered by the Umana Yana and the Shell Beach monument.

There is no charge to take photos there with lights also being installed for night time imaging.