One of the Caribbean region’s most beloved community walking events is gaining high-level attention for its untapped potential as a major international tourism draw, as the nation’s top leader joined participants for the closing stage of its 61st edition. On Saturday, President Jennifer Simons carved time out of her packed official schedule to walk several kilometers during the final day of the annual Avondvierdaagse (AVD), a four-day evening walking tradition that draws thousands of participants each year.
After completing her walk, Simons shared her positive assessment of the event, emphasizing that with consistent organizational growth and investment, the AVD could evolve into a signature tourism event for Suriname. She praised the vibrant, inclusive atmosphere of the gathering and the enthusiastic commitment of every participant, calling the AVD a standout community-focused occasion. “This is such a wonderful event, and I truly believe it has the capacity to attract far more visitors to our country in the coming years,” Simons told reporters on site.
The president offered clear guidance to the event’s organizer, the Business Association for Sport and Play (BVSS), urging the group to continue investing in improvements to event quality and operational infrastructure to support future expansion. Simons was not the only high-ranking official to take part in this year’s walking march. Lalinie Gopal, the Minister of Sport and Youth Development, and Enrique Ralim, Director of Sports Affairs, also joined the route, walking alongside a group of elite national athletes to show their support for the community-focused tradition.