Diaspora-led proposals target film, sports and tourism growth

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, has been actively engaging with members of the Guyanese diaspora and international partners to discuss initiatives aimed at elevating Guyana’s presence on the world stage.
Recent courtesy visits brought prominent diaspora figures, cultural icons and international talent to explore investment opportunities, creative industry development, and initiatives to position Guyana as a premier destination for tourism and cultural experiences.

The visits included British-Guyanese actor and writer, Jacob Scipio, his brother Zach Scipio, Ronnie Madra of the diaspora and Gerry Gouveia, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission.
During this meeting, discussions centred around the importance of the engagement of the diaspora, leveraging talent and networks in order to promote Guyana’s International visibility. Among the key proposal, the Guyana film industry was raised as a development to be used as a platform for economic diversification and skill development, as well as hosting major sporting events.
In addition to these discussions, the minister also met with Canadian TV personality and Private chef Devan Rajkumar, along with the Visit Guyana team, to explore ways that can be used to promote Guyana’s culinary Heritage.
Chef Rajkumar shared highlights and insights from his international culinary experiences and even presented the minister with a signed copy of his book “Mad Love”. The meeting focused on developing initiatives to strengthen Destination Guyana’s global appeal, highlighting the country’s unique flavours, cultural richness, culinary traditions and potential as a culinary tourism hotspot.
The meetings tie into preparations for the nation’s 2026 Golden Jubilee celebrations, with plans underway for culinary, sporting and cultural evens aiming to highlight the country’s talent, heritage and growing global influence.
The minister noted that that these initiatives represent a long-term strategy to position Guyana as a vibrant and attractive destination for international visitors and investors.