Guyana’s hospitality sector is gearing up for significant growth, with the addition of 1,000 new hotel rooms projected by 2025, driven by the opening of several internationally branded hotels.
This year alone, the sector welcomed two internationally renowned hotels—Aiden by Best Western and the Royal Hotel—introducing 400 high-quality rooms to the market.
With other branded hotels nearing completion, the total room stock is set to increase substantially, strengthening Guyana’s position as a competitive player in the regional tourism market.
During an end-of-year media briefing at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, highlighted the government’s pivotal role in fostering this expansion.
“This expanding capacity naturally enables us to host major international events and positions [us] as a competitive player in the regional tourism market,” Minister Walrond stated.
The additional rooms will cater to the growing number of international visitors during peak seasons such as Cricket Carnival and Mashramani, while also providing luxurious options for residents and diaspora Guyanese.
Guyana’s rising popularity as a tourist destination is evident in record-breaking visitor arrival statistics. October 2024 saw a 22.5% increase in arrivals compared to October 2023, marking the highest growth for that month in the nation’s history.
Between January and October 2024, arrivals increased by 15% compared to the same period in 2023, with nearly 300,000 visitors recorded. Minister Walrond clarified that these figures reflect non-resident arrivals, excluding resident Guyanese and business travelers.
“This is a result of strategic vision to bring visitors to Guyana, to build out more tourism products in sports tourism, in meetings and conferences so that visitor arrival continues to see that growth,” she noted.
Of the total visitors in 2024, 46% were from the United States, 28% from the Caribbean, 8% from Canada, and 6% each from Europe, Latin America, and other markets. Minister Walrond added, “Nine out of our ten months (of statistics) have been record-breaking.”
In a bid to enhance visitor experiences and diversify the hospitality market, the Ministry of Tourism has supported the development of bed-and-breakfast establishments. This year, the Guyana Tourism Authority conditionally approved 36 such properties nationwide, backed by funding and training initiatives.
These efforts aim to create opportunities for local businesses and communities while enriching Guyana’s tourism product offerings. With its expanding accommodation options and growing visitor numbers, Guyana is solidifying its status as a rising star in regional tourism.
