12% hike in visitor arrivals for 1st half of 2026 – Tourism Authority

The local tourism sector continues to see sustained growth, with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) reporting an increase in visitor arrivals during the first six months of 2026. In its half year highlights, the GTA said Guyana recorded 226,463 visitors from January to June 2026, representing a 12 per cent year-to-date increase. Based on current trends, the Authority predicts more than 500,000 visitors are expected by December 31, 2026. According to the GTA, major events and conferences contributed to sustained travel demand during the first half of this year, including the closing of the Diamond Jubilee Visual Arts Exhibition, Guyana Restaurant Week, International Building Expo, Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC) Annual Conference, Voting Rights & Electoral Justice Conference, ECONOME Business Conference & Mixer, Caribbean Port State Control Conference (CPSCC), and the WeLeadAssociation Conference, among others.
Moreover, it was reported that Guyana welcomed 40,002 visitors in June 2026, representing a 16.8 per cent increase compared to June 2025. This trend, the GTA noted, continues the country’s strong tourism growth trajectory. Leisure travel remained the largest contributor to arrivals, accounting for 61 per cent of visitors, followed by business with 16 per cent and other at 23 per cent, the Authority disclosed. Only last week, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce reported 45,127 visitors for July 2026 – the highest number ever recorded for this month in the history of Guyana’s tourism and marking an 11.1 per cent increase compared to July 2025. The Ministry said the Origins Fashion Show (July 3–5) brought regional designers and audiences together, while CARICOM Day celebrations, including the One Guyana Worship Experience (July 6) showcased Guyana’s rich culture and strengthened regional ties. The Global Super League Cricket tournament (July 23–Aug 1) also attracted teams and fans from around the world. “Together, these events contributed to a vibrant month that not only boosted visitor arrivals but also reinforced Guyana’s growing reputation as a destination for culture, fashion, and sport,” the Tourism Ministry noted. It added that this record reflects Guyana’s continued momentum as a destination where visitors can enjoy unforgettable adventures, world-class events and authentic cultural experiences.

International recognition
Meanwhile, the GTA said in its mid-year highlights that in addition to visitors’ arrival, progress was also seen in other areas within the local tourism industry including capacity building, product development, destination marketing and industry partnerships. In fact, the Authority noted that Guyana’s tourism sector continued to receive international recognition for sustainability, community involvement and conservation efforts. For instance, Toka Village in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) received the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Community-Based Tourism Award 2026 for its community-led tourism model, traditional cultural experiences and support for local livelihoods. The Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development was also recognised among Travel and Tour World’s “50 Best Eco Tourism Destinations in the World for 2026.”
Moreover, ‘Destination Guyana’ has also been featured on the Green Destinations – Good Travel Experiences (GTE) platform, highlighting three of the country’s flagship eco-tourism experiences: Rewa Eco Lodge: Arapaima Conservation & Research Initiative; Caiman House Eco Lodge: Yupukari River Turtle Conservation Project; and Atta Rainforest Lodge: Iwokrama Canopy Walkway Trail. Additionally, the Backyard Cafe was featured in TIME’s List of the World’s Greatest Places 2026, which named 100 extraordinary destinations to visit and stay.

Destination Guyana also signed a contract to participate in Expo 2027 in Belgrade, Serbia. The Expo 2027 will take place from May 15 to August 15, 2027 under the theme “Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All.” According to the GTA, Guyana’s participation supports stronger international cooperation while providing another platform to showcase our country and place Destination Guyana further on the global tourism map. Further, CTO has named Guyana as the host nation for the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) from October 5 to 9, 2026. This marks the first time the country has been selected to host and it underscores growing regional confidence in Guyana’s leadership and its expanding role in shaping tourism dialogue across the Caribbean.

Capacity building
Meanwhile, the GTA continued to strengthen tourism standards through inspections, licensing, and regulatory support for tourism businesses across Guyana. For the January to June period, the Authority licenced: 13 accommodation establishments; 34 tour operators; nine lodges and resorts, and some 151 tour guides including 12 from 2024, 117 from 2025 and 22 from 2026. These efforts, according to the Tourism Authority, supported improved service standards, increased industry compliance and continued growth in Guyana’s tourism offering. In fact, to further strengthen this process, the new licensing portal was officially re-launched allowing for industry stakeholders to apply online in various categories, including Tour Guides, Tour Operators, Tourism Accommodation Establishments (Hotels), Lodges & Resorts, and Bed & Breakfast Facilities.
Moreover, between January and June, some 1,176 persons received training in key areas including First Aid & CPR, Introduction to Tourism, Bird Guide Accreditation, Tour Guiding, Business & Financial Management, Business Etiquette and Delivering Quality Service. Through these training programmes, the GTA continues to strengthen the skills and capacity of tourism stakeholders across Guyana, supporting improved visitor experiences and stronger tourism businesses.
“Through targeted initiatives across communities, continued engagement with tourism businesses and strategic promotion in key markets, the Guyana Tourism Authority continued to support the development of a more resilient, diverse and sustainable tourism sector,” the agency said in its 2026 mid-year highlights.