55% of visitors who entered Guyana in 2023 were non-Diaspora persons – GTA

Guyana had seen an increase in the number of visitors entering the country in 2023, when compared to what had obtained in previous years.
This information has been presented in the 2023 Guyana Statistical conducted by the Guyana Tourism Authority. It has been highlighted that most of those visitors were from Guyana’s non-diaspora group.
According to the Guyana Statistical Digest, in 2023, Guyana experienced an 11 per cent increase in visitors entering the country when compared to the previous year. Last year the country welcomed a total of 319,147 tourists through various ports. However, it has been noted that the majority of those visitors were not from Guyana’s diaspora group.
Notably, only 45% (144,307) of those arrivals were diaspora visitors, while 55% (174,840) were from its non-diaspora group.
The statistical report highlighted that most of the non-Guyanese visitors had travelled from the United States and the Caribbean, with 44,704 and 71,305 visitors respectfully.
Meanwhile, the largest contingents of Guyanese diaspora travellers hailed from the United States (105,158) and Canada (19,851).
Information obtained from the report highlighted that the United States dominated the visitor market over the years except for 2019, when the Caribbean occupied the largest share of visitors entering the country with a total of 123,645 visitors, which was 26,873 more than the figure of those coming from the US: 96,772. However, from 2020 to date, the United States has been identified as the country with the most visitors entering Guyana.
In 2023 the United States contributed a total of 147,768 arrivals, followed by the Caribbean with the second-highest number of arrivals at 54,739, trailed by Canada with 27,219 and Europe with 17,845. South and Central America recorded the fewest arrivals at 7,356, while the Other/Not Stated Market accounted for 12,883 arrivals.
Further, there was a decline in Caribbean arrivals compared to 2022, whereas Europe experienced the most significant increase in market share percentage (51%) among the major markets.
The report also revealed that the majority of visitors that travelled to Guyana came for holiday in 2023. The peak months when visitors travelled were March (27,352), April (28,478), July (30,377), September (27,850), and December (31,108), primarily driven by non-diaspora visitors. The report also highlighted that the average expenditure per international traveller in 2023 was estimated to be around $222,000. According to the WTTC Economic Impact Report (Guyana) 2023, the tourism industry in Guyana supported over 18,000 jobs, highlighting its crucial role in the nation’s economy.
Meanwhile the total number of visitors entering the country this year is expected to grow by nine per cent, with an estimated total of 350,000 persons entering the country. Arrivals are expected to increase due to the following events/ activities: Guyana/Cricket Carnival, Caribbean Premiere League 2024 (CPL), and other sporting events.
Further, the country can expect additional visitors due to the continued oil production, increased marketing and expanded product development, and major conferences.