Venezuela's Eco-tourism hit hard by opposition's 2-month stoppage; ready for comeback

www.vheadline.com Posted: Friday, March 07, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Several of Venezuela’s leading eco-tourism ventures admit they have been hit hard by the December-January national stoppage but say they are ready to make a comeback in March once they have reassessed costs.

The Pinero Farm in South Cojedes usually gets plenty of ornithologists visiting between the months of December thru April to sight 1,310 species of birds in migration ... but this season several groups cancelled their visit citing "the political situation" in Caracas.

Even though there were no problems at the farm itself, tour companies complained that gasoline and food supplies were uncertain, meriting cancellation until the situation improves.

Orinoquia and Caura jungle camps in southeastern Venezuela have also been hit by the crisis. Embassy warnings to citizens not to visit Venezuela were heeded, according to Cacao Travel Group general manager Bernard Kroening, even though there were less problems obtaining gasoline in Ciudad Bolivar.

“If the situation continues as of present, we will be hard pressed … many camps have closed their doors.”

Kroening hopes things will pick up towards Easter and says the company will be concentrating on the domestic market.”

The latest offer is 200,000 bolivares ($125) for three nights lodging with full board, complete with a trip down the Orinoco River in the company of indigenous guides.