Tag: tourism

Number 63 Beach set to become major tourism hub

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Number 63 Beach is undergoing a transformative upgrade, positioning it as a premier tourism destination. This was highlighted by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, during a site visit on Wednesday, accompanied by the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Kamrul Baksh.

A release noted that the visit sought to assess ongoing works and the current state of the facility.

The enhancement of the beach forms part of the National Beautification Project, spearheaded by the Office of the First Lady in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and the Regional Democratic Council of Region Six.

Minister Rodrigues emphasised her ministry’s commitment to further elevating the site’s profile.

“As a destination serious about tourism, our priority is to expand and enhance the experiences we offer. This beach is already a popular attraction, but with the transformative upgrades led by the First Lady, it will be elevated into a premiere tourism landmark—one that significantly boosts our national appeal,” she said.

The minister also pointed to wider developments taking place within the region and their potential to drive tourism growth.

“Very soon, Palmyra will boast a world-class stadium, and the new Corentyne River Bridge will link Guyana with Suriname. With these and other transformative developments, we expect a significant influx of visitors to the region, and this beach will serve as a key hub for leisure and entertainment, ensuring they enjoy the best of what Guyana has to offer,” the minister added.

Looking ahead, Minister Rodrigues explained that the ministry will soon roll out comprehensive plans for Number 63 Beach and other facilities across Guyana, as part of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s tourism profile.

A building under construction
A building under construction
Minister Rodrigues and team during the visit
Minister Rodrigues and team during the visit

Tourism minister flags slow pace of work on hospitality training institute

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues on Wednesday voiced concern over the pace of construction of the US$7 million Tourism and Hospitality Institute at Port Mourant.

The facility will be critical to developing skills for the country’s expanding tourism industry.

Rodrigues toured the site and met with contractors and consultants. The project, which began in January 2024, is expected to be completed by June 2026 and is being financed through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank.

She noted the number of hotels under construction and government plans to attract further investment, saying the institute would help meet the demand for trained workers.

“This world-class facility, with the capacity to train 200 persons per cohort, will offer Caribbean Vocational Qualifications in areas ranging from mixology to cosmetology. We recognise that a growing sector requires a skilled workforce, and as a proactive government, we are ensuring that Guyanese are well-positioned to benefit from this expanding industry, while simultaneously building national capacity,” Rodrigues said.

 

The building under constructionCredit: Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce
The building under construction
Credit: Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce

THAG: Georgetown’s transformation will boost tourism and heritage appeal

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) has welcomed President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s plan to transform Georgetown into a sustainable “Garden City,” saying the initiative will boost tourism while preserving heritage.

The announcement, made on Tuesday, outlines a vision for modern development in the capital, including upgrades in waste management, flood resilience, heritage protection, and transport systems.

“We are excited to hear that Georgetown will undergo such an extensive transformation,” said Mitra Ramkumar, the President of THAG.

The key priorities outlined by President Ali, including waste management, flood resilience, heritage protection, and modern transport systems, will significantly enhance the city’s appeal to both locals and visitors. The planned upgrades, such as the modernisation of the Stabroek waterfront and market, tourism-focused drainage canal improvements, and the restoration of urban landscapes, reflect the forward-thinking strategies required to make Georgetown a world-class destination.

THAG highlighted the Lamaha Railway Courtyard project as an example of revitalising historical spaces, saying such developments would strengthen both tourism and urban livability.

At the same time, the association urged that social concerns be addressed alongside infrastructure upgrades.

“We strongly urge that a comprehensive strategy be included to address the needs of the homeless, the mentally ill, and the vagrants who reside in the city,” Ramkumar said.

He added : “A clean, safe, and welcoming city for all is paramount. To that end, it is crucial that a coordinated approach to care, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society be part of the broader urban renewal plan. This would help to ensure that the improvements in infrastructure and public spaces are accompanied by social programmes that uplift and support every citizen, ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of Georgetown’s transformation.”

THAG said it remains committed to collaborating with government and stakeholders to ensure Georgetown’s transformation benefits both residents and visitors.

THAG President: CPL a major boost to tourism sector

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

With two successful tournaments hosted in succession here in Guyana, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is driving the tourism sector forward.

This is according to President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar.

Speaking on the latest edition of Ignite Insights, Ramkumar pointed out that sports tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the industry across the world, and brings tremendous benefits to Guyana as a destination.

“What it does is it catapults the industry. When you can host a big sporting event as a destination, it gets you into that market. So, you are now able to do other sporting events because you have the capacity to do it. It builds the industry and you create a traction to the destination. And so it benefits all,” he said.

Ramkumar outlined that key players in the sector such as local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and tour operators that host participating teams benefit directly from the hosting of the tournament.

He said this also creates an enabling environment for the private sector to generate business, adding that the tourism industry experiences an upsurge in tour bookings during CPL events.

“It’s an industry, a market that’s being built, and a whole sector, a segment within the tourism industry that is being built. It’s gone to a huge level and I believe it’s growing a hundred folds every time the season comes back. CPL I would say is the biggest sporting event tournament that we have in Guyana,” Ramkumar shared.

Ramkumar further explained that the diaspora plays a significant role in the tourism and hospitality market, as many Guyanese return home to experience the event and tourism destinations.

He further noted that everyone in turn benefits from the rise in consumer capacity, including supermarkets, market vendors, and caterers, among others.

THAG President Mitra Ramkumar

Georgetown to be transformed into sustainable ‘Garden City’

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Guyana’s capital Georgetown will be transformed into a sustainable “Garden City” that preserves its heritage while embracing modern development, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said on Tuesday.

Unveiling the City Revival Plan at a press briefing at the Office of the President, Ali said the initiative forms part of a wider national strategy for sustainable urban development, starting with the capital and surrounding region.

“The mismanagement and inefficiency through which the city is managed can no longer be tolerated. It is time for us, as citizens and as a country, to take charge of the situation. We are advancing the rescue of Georgetown,” the president said.

Over the past five years, the government has invested billions in drainage upgrades, road improvements, housing expansion and construction of a high-span bridge over the Demerara River. The new plan, launched in collaboration with the King’s Foundation, will build on those projects.

The initiative envisions upgraded recreational spaces and heritage sites, including the old Transport and Harbours building and the train station, which will host a new museum and training hub. It also covers modernisation of the Stabroek waterfront and market, tourism-focused drainage canal upgrades, restoration of urban landscapes, and the Lamaha Railway Courtyard project.

Other elements include agro-integrated growth clusters, green infrastructure, expanded transport links and revitalisation of the civic core around Stabroek Market and Water Street.

The president said the plan aligns with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 to ensure “harmony, sustainability, and inclusivity” in the city’s future.

Key priorities include housing expansion, waste management, flood resilience, heritage protection and the development of a modern transport system to ease congestion.

Stakeholder involvement from the private sector, municipal council, ministries and civil society will be critical.

“We are progressing with a clearly defined plan for the city. Every stakeholder will play a critical role in advancing this transformation of our capital. Georgetown must be repositioned as one of the finest cities in the world,” Ali said.

Beyond the capital, the government also plans demonstration projects such as an outer Georgetown low-carbon market town and the Silicon City master plan, both designed to pilot models of sustainable urban growth.

“These initiatives are about infrastructure and fostering pride, efficiency, and a renewed identity for the capital city,” the head of state said.

Major tourism boost: Courtyard by Marriott opens at Timehri

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Guyana’s international hotel sector took a major step forward on Wednesday with the official opening of the Courtyard by Marriott near the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

The six-storey, US$20 million property, built by Cardinal Investments Inc. of the Bassoo Group, adds 150 rooms to the market and marks the latest milestone in Guyana’s fast-growing tourism and hospitality industry.

Located directly across from CJIA, the hotel was designed for business and leisure travellers. Amenities include an outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness centre, conference and meeting facilities, and on-site dining at The Hangar Restaurant and The Run-Way Bar. Free parking and other features in line with Marriott’s global standards are also offered.

The opening comes as Guyana records surging visitor arrivals and rising demand for accommodations, particularly near the country’s main port of entry. The project followed a call by President Irfaan Ali for private investors to expand the nation’s room stock.

At Wednesday’s ceremony, Ali reaffirmed his government’s commitment to boosting investment in the sector. “Within the first week of the next term (in office), we will be issuing the expressions of interest,” he said, adding that the state will invite proposals for all-inclusive resorts in destinations such as Orinduik, Lethem, Number 63 Beach, Bartica, and along both the Stabroek and Vreed-en-Hoop waterfronts.

Roy Bassoo, managing director of Cardinal Investments Inc., underlined the family-owned company’s confidence in Guyana’s tourism prospects, announcing plans for another major venture. “Construction of the 130-suite hotel will start in 2026,” he said, referring to a new Staybridge Suites Hotel along the Heroes Highway, aimed at serving extended-stay and oil-and-gas sector visitors.

The Bassoo Group has long played a role in local development and sees its ventures as part of efforts to position Guyana as a world-class destination. The Courtyard project itself generated hundreds of construction jobs and will now provide stable employment for dozens of Guyanese in hospitality and related services, Bassoo noted.

The Courtyard opening, along with the planned Staybridge Suites and other upcoming branded hotels, signals a wave of international-standard accommodation that will better position Guyana to host conferences, business delegations and the growing stream of leisure travellers. Industry players say this marks the start of a hospitality transformation driven by both government policy and private investment.

A room inside the hotel

Discover the Fraser’s House of 99 Windows

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) today launched a new heritage and agro-tourism experience in East Berbice-Corentyne, featuring the colonial-era “99 (100) Windows House,” a landmark managed by the Fraser family under newly licensed operator Lothian Ventura.

The wooden building, long regarded as a site of intrigue in Berbice, will now be opened to visitors through a historical tour paired with an agro-tour component linking heritage, farming and community life.

GTA Director Kamrul Baksh said the initiative underscores Berbice’s tourism potential, combining culture, agriculture and gastronomy with ongoing regional development. He also pointed to the region’s role as a corridor for cross-border tourism with Suriname, supported by collaboration with the Suriname Hospitality & Tourism Association (SHATA).

Randy Mangru, President of the Region Six Tourism Association, said the project aligns with the government’s wider push to strengthen tourism offerings in the area.

A new website, 99windowshouse.com, was also launched to provide information on the experience.

Officials at the launch (GTA photo)

A tour of the house (GTA photo)

Hyatt Place Hotel at Providence to open early next year

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Construction of the Hyatt Place Hotel at Providence, East Bank Demerara, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.
The Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) is facilitating an investment of more than $10 billion to bring the new property to life. Located just 15 minutes from Georgetown, it is positioned near major landmarks, including the Amazonia Mall, the National Stadium, and the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
The hotel will feature 136 upscale rooms built to international 4-star standards. Guests will have access to a restaurant, fitness centre, swimming pool, rooftop lounge, and both indoor and outdoor bars.

Situated at 2441 Plantation, Providence, the location allows convenient access to residential and commercial hubs, as well as the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Construction began in 2022 and is being developed by SIR Investments Guyana Inc., with Varaya Guyana Inc. serving as the primary contractor.
Beyond hospitality, Hyatt Place Providence forms part of Guyana’s broader strategy to grow business tourism and strengthen its Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) sector. It is among several branded hotel properties set to open nationwide, adding more than 2,000 rooms to the country’s accommodation stock.

“This development demonstrates Guyana’s rising profile as a destination for international investors. The Hyatt Place project is not just about building a hotel; it is about creating jobs, strengthening tourism, and ensuring that our economy continues to diversify and grow,” Dr Ramsaroop said.
This landmark investment is a major boost to economic diversification, job creation, and tourism development in Region Four, reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to becoming the world’s leading eco-destination while supporting both international business and leisure travellers.

Tourist arrivals in surge on stronger air links, diaspora travel

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce said Guyana recorded 242,655 visitor arrivals between January and July 2025, an 18 per cent increase from 205,646 in the same period in 2024. It was a record performance for each of the seven months.

Arrivals through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) totalled 168,582, while Lethem recorded 4,483 and Moleson Creek 6,340. The Eugene F. Correia International Airport (EFCIA) received 63,250 visitors. The United States remained Guyana’s largest source market, accounting for 100,331 visitors, or 41 per cent of the total. Canada contributed 17,783 arrivals (7 per cent), Europe 14,079 (6 per cent), the Caribbean 76,247 (31 per cent) and Latin America 17,263 (7 per cent).

The ministry said the growth reflected improved air connectivity, intensified marketing in key markets and a strong resurgence of diaspora travel after the COVID-19 pandemic. Leisure and business travel accounted for a significant share of arrivals. Cultural and sporting events, along with new and diversified tourism products, also boosted the country’s appeal to both international and regional visitors.

Monthly comparisons with 2024 showed gains across the board, with January up 22.8 per cent, April recording the highest growth at 28.6 per cent, and double-digit increases in May (17.6 per cent), June (15.2 per cent) and July (16.7 per cent).

The visitor figures are part of wider passenger arrival statistics. Between January and June 2025, more than one million passengers transited CJIA alone, matching the total recorded across all ports of entry for all of last year.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond welcomed the figures, saying they aligned with the government’s vision for a robust tourism sector.

“These figures are the result of strategic efforts—not only in promoting Destination Guyana and expanding travel routes, but also in creating a more diversified tourism offering. They confirm the growing international interest in Guyana as a tourism destination and demonstrate that our tourism sector is well-positioned to stand as a major contributor to our GDP,” Walrond said.

The government said it would continue working with stakeholders to promote certified tourism businesses, strengthen partnerships and deliver sustainable tourism development.

THAG working on plan to boost domestic tourism

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar, says the sector is developing plans to introduce local rates to encourage domestic tourism.

Speaking in an interview with Ignite Insights, Ramkumar said local tourism is a key part of growing the industry, ensuring a steady market flow and promoting economies of scale.

He noted that high travel costs, driven by inadequate infrastructure, continue to restrict the movement of local tourists and reduce traffic to tourist facilities. However, he said efforts are underway to address this issue.

“In order to upkeep this facility to the level that we want it demands us Guyanese to start visiting these sites to actually have a flow to these places, then the cost will start coming down… We would have seen that in different areas,” the THAG president said.

“We know that it’s a challenge, we know when you compare it globally it is expensive, but we are working toward getting those costs down and I believe with the infrastructure coming in place those costs will definitely come down. We are also looking at having local rates for Guyanese so they can come out and experience what the country has to offer.”

Ramkumar also pointed to other challenges in the sector, including improving standards, staff turnover, and training. He said with numerous opportunities in other industries such as construction and oil and gas, retaining workers in the tourism sector has become increasingly difficult.

Despite these hurdles, Ramkumar expressed optimism about the sector’s future.

“And so I want to appeal to the general public to experience more of what Guyana is all about, visit the different regions. Go out into the Essequibo.”

He said the industry is not only for foreign visitors, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic saw a surge in domestic tourism as more Guyanese travelled locally.