Tourism in Suriname: an Overview
“Caribbean Country Culturally, Yet Latin America Geographically”
Introduction
Suriname is a captivating destination for travellers who want an authentic and immersive experience. Located on the northeastern coast of South America, this hidden gem offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and historical significance. With pristine rainforests, winding rivers, and untouched wilderness, it is a paradise for ecotourism enthusiasts. Suriname’s multicultural society, influenced by Amerindian, Maroon, Creole, Hindustani, Javanese, Chinese, and European communities, ensures a vibrant and captivating cultural experience. From the historic colonial architecture of Paramaribo to the tantalising flavours of its diverse cuisine, Suriname promises to leave a lasting impression on adventurous travellers seeking to discover the hidden treasures of this South American gem.
Although Suriname does not have cultural and linguistic connections to Spanish or Portuguese cultures and languages, it is often grouped within the Latin American region in the context of international tourism due to its location in South America. While some sources indicate connections between Suriname, Guyana, and Caribbean nations, its closer proximity to Latin America justifies this classification.
Country Background
The Republic of Suriname is the smallest independent country in South America, at 163,820 km2, population 616,500 in 2021, and GDP US$3.4 billion in 2021 (Suriname, 2022). Mining (mostly gold and bauxite) accounts for 80% of total exports and 5.7% of GDP After three centuries of colonial rule, Suriname became independent from the Netherlands in 1975.
Suriname, a nation characterised by its diverse ethnic composition, is geographically organised into ten administrative districts. The districts of Paramaribo, Wanica (located in the urban coastal region), and Commewijne (situated in the rural coastal area) are home to the largest proportion of the country’s population (General Bureau of Statistics, 2019; General Bureau of Statistics and Anton de Kom University of Suriname, 2016). Suriname exhibits a notable degree of biological diversity, with forests encompassing approximately 93% of its total land area (Bakker and Ramdin, 2022). The Central Suriname Nature Reserve has been designated as a UNESCO world heritage site. The beaches are unsuitable for recreational activities due to the presence of swamps, which hinder access. The primary points of interest encompass the esteemed inner city of Paramaribo, which holds the distinction of being a UNESCO heritage site, as well as the former plantation houses, the rich cultural heritage, the sprawling rivers, and the lush rainforest.
The acquisition of up-to-date statistical data regarding the quantity of international tourists in Suriname has been impeded by constraints in data sources and language obstacles. Hence, the available data pertaining to the influx of international tourists in Suriname is limited to the year 2019. From 2020 until April 2022, Suriname implemented stringent measures to protect its territorial borders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bakker & Ramdin (2022) provided conclusions pertaining to the main international tourism markets for Suriname in the year 2018 :
‘In the year 2018, the number of international arrivals amounted to 333,245. The Netherlands serves as the primary source market, accounting for 40% of all inbound tourism, with neighbouring countries such as Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil following suit. According to a study conducted by the University of California, Anderson School of Management in 2011, approximately 11% of all arrivals can be classified as pleasure tourists, with the remaining individuals travelling for business purposes or to visit family, friends, and relatives. The majority of pleasure tourists opt to explore different regions of the country through the utilisation of organised tour packages. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s report in 2019, the economy received a contribution of $73 million from expenditures made by inbound tourists in 2018. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) in 2021, the direct impact of tourism on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was estimated to be 2.6% of the overall GDP in 2019. Additionally, the tourism sector was found to have provided employment opportunities for approximately 5700 individuals.’
Suriname’s economy, heavily reliant on mineral resources, has historically been susceptible to global economic fluctuations. Natural resources, particularly mining products like bauxite, crude oil, and gold, have driven the nation’s economic growth. From the pre-independence era until the early 2000s, bauxite was the dominant economic driver, followed by the crude-oil sector from 1990 onwards, and significant gold exports since 2004. While agriculture and tourism made lesser contributions, Suriname experienced varying periods of inflation and growth post-independence. Between 1975 and 2015, the country averaged a high end-of-period inflation rate of 37.3% alongside average annual economic growth of 2.3%. Different economic characteristics marked distinct periods, including a post-independence phase of low inflation and high growth, followed by a tumultuous period from 1980 to 1994 characterized by political unrest and economic instability due to low international bauxite prices. Subsequently, structural reforms led to high inflation and low growth from 1995 to 2000. The most recent period from 2001 to 2015 saw reasonable monetary policies resulting in stable economic growth and relatively steady prices (Ooft, 2019).
Current State
Tourism in Suriname before the pandemic was relatively modest, with the majority of visitors coming from the Netherlands. Despite this, the tourism sector in Suriname played a significant role in generating income for the local population. However, when the pandemic hit, the tourism sector in Suriname took a severe hit. To address this situation, the Surinamese government enacted new tourism legislation (Ministerie van Transport, 2022). This legislation aimed to make the tourism sector more independent and establish a specialized body to oversee it, resulting in the creation of the Suriname Toerisme Autoriteit. After the new tourism law was ratified in April 2023, the Surinamese government launched a digital platform responsible for representing Suriname’s tourism locally and internationally, known as Suriname.Travel (Ministerie van Transport, 2023).
Furthermore, on July 1, 2022, in an effort to revive tourism in Suriname, the government implemented a visa-free policy for foreign nationals wishing to visit Suriname for tourism purposes, with a maximum stay of 90 days. However, they were required to purchase an online entrance ticket for tourism or family visits, which would grant them a Tourist Card. This Tourist Card differed from a traditional visa, which can be a lengthy and complicated application process, whereas the Tourist Card could be processed in as little as 72 hours. Nevertheless, starting in May 2023, the Surinamese government reinstated the requirement for visa applications for individuals with citizenship from certain countries (Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Eritrea, Ghana, India, Cameroon, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia, Venezuela, Zambia, and South Africa) (VFS, 2023).
Suriname is actively cultivating its reputation and establishing its presence in the tourism industry by emphasising its abundant, unspoilt, and well-conserved forests. Additionally, there is a sense of pride associated with being recognised as “The best-kept secret of South America,” an undisclosed haven that offers a plethora of unexpected experiences for global tourists upon their arrival. This country possesses pristine, unspoilt wilderness, wherein numerous species have been recently identified through scientific exploration.
In the latest official tourism website of Suriname, Suriname. Travel, there are four highlighted tourist activity destinations in Suriname, as follows.
1) The Jungle, more than 85% of Suriname consists of virgin jungle, which is home to various species of monkeys, exotic frogs, parrots, caimans, and felines.
2) The People, not only renowned for their warm hospitality, humor, and amiable nature but also the various ethnic groups (Javanese, Hindus, Maroons and the Indigenous) have maintained their cultural identity.
3) The Adventure, from zip-lining and waterfall abseiling to kayaking through rapids and nighttime caiman spotting. For a more relaxed experience, visitors can opt for bicycle tours of historic plantations or boat trips to see dolphins at the mouth of the Suriname River.
4) The Food, the traditional dishes that come from various ethnic groups are traditionally eaten with the hands.
As I am currently engaged in the completion of this assignment, it is worth noting that Suriname has been hosting Tourism Month Suriname from September 1, 2023, until September 30, 2023. The climax of the Tourism Month Suriname event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, which aligns with World Tourism Day, named the Suriname Tourism Festival.
Future Potential & Opportunity
Suriname stands out as one of the most secure destinations in both the Caribbean and South America, making it a favoured choice for Dutch and French travellers who enjoy exploring the country’s interior, Paramaribo, and its surrounding areas on bicycles. As one German traveller pointed out, “Here, you’ll encounter a vibrant mix of Hindustani, Africans, Indonesians, Amerindians, and Chinese,” all of whom maintain their distinct languages and contribute to the rich culinary scene. He also noted that it’s the only place where a mosque and a synagogue peacefully coexist side by side (Chickrie, 2013). Furthermore, concerning the issue of security, this is reinforced by data from the Global Organized Crime Index, which ranks Suriname 8th out of 12 most criminal countries in South America. The higher the number of ranking, the lower the level of crime in a country compared to those with lower rankings. Therefore, given Suriname’s relatively low crime rate compared to other South American countries, it is crucial for Suriname to engage in more extensive tourism promotion efforts and develop other infrastructure to attract foreign tourists, especially from high-income countries. However, this should also be accompanied by strengthening the country’s institutions.
Furthermore, Suriname has received a financial injection of 23 million USD from the World Bank to support good international governance practices in the business sector and promote sectoral diversification in Suriname. This project aims to facilitate growth and diversification opportunities in agribusiness, tourism, and other emerging industries, especially for SMEs. SMEs make up 98 percent of all businesses in Suriname and account for 60 percent of total private sector employment. Agribusiness and tourism offer competitive opportunities for attracting private investment and diversifying the economy. The project will also support improved governance, transparency, accountability, and administration in the mining sector, including better management of environmental and social impacts (Report, 2019). This financial injection will somewhat contribute to Suriname’s national budget revenue. The allocation of the budget for tourism development in Suriname can be seen in the Multi-Annual Development Plan 2022–2026. The government has allocated a total of approximately 2 million USD for the development of the tourism sector during the period from 2022 to 2026 (Suriname, 2021).
Suriname boasts one of the Caribbean’s largest diaspora economies, driven by remittances, brain drain, and related factors. While the Surinamese diaspora represents 2 percent of the Netherlands’ population, it accounts for a substantial 72 percent of Suriname’s population. Most of the diaspora resides in the Netherlands and the Dutch Antilles, with some in the United States, making Suriname’s diaspora notably significant in proportion to its population (Nurse, 2011).
This diaspora plays a pivotal role in Suriname’s economy, primarily through the surge in remittances and the phenomenon of brain drain. Cultural, religious, social, and climatic factors attract diaspora tourists, with key events like Surifesta and Independence Day being highlights. (Nurse, 2011). While the potential for diaspora-driven tourism exists, it remains underutilized, with the July/August period being the prime travel season as visitors seize the opportunity during their Netherlands holidays to explore Suriname. Additionally, the global trend of people seeking better economic prospects abroad, often in the Netherlands, can be harnessed by Suriname as a source of foreign exchange, especially when emigrants return, even for family visits. These emigrants indirectly serve as Suriname’s ambassadors abroad, promoting awareness of the country’s offerings.
Challenges
Suriname encounters a range of environmental and institutional obstacles as it endeavours to enhance rainforest conservation and foster sustainable tourism. Despite the growing encroachments resulting from mining activities, the nation remains steadfast in its dedication to the conservation of its natural resources. The organisation presents itself as the central hub of the Amazon region and has garnered international acclaim for its commendable endeavours in promoting sustainability. Nevertheless, the progress made in promoting sustainable tourism is jeopardised by the presence of an inadequate regulatory and legislative structure (Jayawardena and Sinclair, 2010).
Suriname has witnessed the initiation of diverse tourism initiatives aimed at safeguarding its cultural heritage; however, it currently faces a dearth of crucial legislation necessary for the establishment of standardised practises within the national tourism sector. The existence of this legislative gap poses a significant obstacle to the advancement of sustainable tourism and facilitates the emergence of unethical practises that have the potential to negatively impact the nascent tourism industry.
Suriname’s vision for its tourism industry by 2050 is grounded in a commitment to sustainable growth and innovation. The plan includes promoting tourism as an increasingly profitable industry through measures like research, development, and investment in unique attractions and experiences. Suriname aims to reduce its carbon footprint through “greening and green growth,” ensuring that its tourism sector operates in an environmentally responsible manner (Suriname, 2021). Furthermore, the country seeks to strengthen international ties and access, fostering partnerships with other nations and international organizations to promote tourism collaboration and development.
The government’s role in the private sector needs to diminish while enhancing transparency and efficiency in internal processes with clear responsibilities. There’s a strong emphasis on cultivating an improved entrepreneurial environment, fostering new business startups, and adding value to raw materials and semi-manufactured goods, particularly within the tourism industry. This approach encourages innovation, technology adoption, cost reduction, and diversification of the economy, making it possible for Surinamese companies to participate in the offshore supply chain. The resulting sustainable employment opportunities serve as a vital tool against poverty, crime, and violence, promoting inclusivity and housing development. This strategy aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 8 and 9, emphasising decent work, economic growth, and industry and innovation. Public sentiment also supports prioritising the tourism sector over gold mining, emphasising the need for vocational training to enhance productivity and meet the demands of a thriving tourism industry (Suriname, 2021).
In addition to the points mentioned above, one significant issue I believe affects tourism in Suriname is the accessibility to tourist destinations, particularly those outside urban areas. Accessing these destinations can be quite challenging and requires significant effort, such as navigating poor roads, traveling by boat through rivers, or taking flights. Many destinations require substantial investments not only in terms of money but also time and comfort during the journey. However, the level of difficulty can vary and depends on the background and preferences of the tourists.
Travellers who have a deep understanding of Suriname and consider it their ultimate destination may embrace the adventurous aspect of such journeys. They find joy in the adventure itself. However, it’s a different story for those seeking a more relaxed tourism experience but still wish to explore multiple places. This means that a considerable amount of prior knowledge is necessary to fully appreciate the tourist destinations in Suriname.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Suriname presents a unique and promising landscape for tourism, characterised by its pristine natural beauty, cultural diversity, and historical significance. It is a destination that has remained relatively undiscovered by mass tourism, offering travellers an authentic and immersive experience. Suriname’s rich rainforests, winding rivers, and untouched wilderness make it an ecotourism paradise, while its multicultural society provides a vibrant cultural tapestry for visitors to explore.
Despite the challenges and limitations, Suriname is actively working to boost its tourism sector. The government has taken significant steps, such as enacting new tourism legislation and implementing a visa-free policy for tourists. Additionally, it has received support from international organisations like the World Bank to promote good governance and diversify the economy, with a focus on agribusiness and tourism.
Suriname’s diaspora also plays a crucial role, both in terms of remittances and as potential tourists who can help promote the country abroad. However, accessibility to some tourist destinations remains a challenge, requiring efforts to improve infrastructure and transportation.
The vision for Suriname’s tourism industry by 2050 emphasises sustainable growth, innovation, and international collaboration. With the right leadership, investment, and commitment to preserving its natural and cultural heritage, Suriname has the potential to become a sought-after destination in South America. It can offer memorable experiences to travellers while contributing to economic development and environmental conservation.
As Suriname continues to work towards these goals, it will be essential to address existing challenges and seize opportunities for growth. With the right strategies and investments, Suriname can truly shine as a hidden gem in the world of tourism.
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