Govt to engage countries over travel advisories against Guyana, boost tourism confidence

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Susan Rodrigues, has pledged to urgently examine the travel advisories issued by several countries discouraging visits to Guyana, saying the reasons behind them are not always clear. Speaking during a meeting with the Executive Team of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Rodrigues said she intends to work closely with the Home Affairs Ministry and the security sector to ensure that visitors feel safe and that the image of Destination Guyana is protected. “We need to get to the bottom of some of the reasons for these travel advisories. I’m not sure that the reasons are crystal clear as to why sometimes they are issued, and sometimes you see the level increase,” the Minister said. “There may be nothing of significance that has happened here in our country, but yet we see the advisory or the threat level increase. That is something I will have to examine.”

Currently, the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Australia have advisories in place for Guyana. Minister Rodrigues said direct engagement with these countries will be part of her strategy to address the issue and safeguard the tourism sector’s growth. At the same time, the Minister emphasised the need to expand regional and international airlift, particularly to southern destinations. She highlighted Brazil as a major market and pointed to Avianca’s new Colombia-Guyana service as a positive development. “We have to ensure that the Caribbean market is more accessible,” Rodrigues said, adding that increased linkages could bring more stopover tourism opportunities. “For example, when British Airways began operating here, suddenly many Guyanese saw St Lucia because it became one of the stops on the way to the UK. That shows the potential.”
Rodrigues also noted that ongoing upgrades to Guyana’s road network will further improve cross-border access with Brazil, opening opportunities for both air and land-based tourism. Turning to her vision for the sector, the Minister underscored her commitment to building a predictable and consistent environment for businesses. “Predictability and consistency may sound boring, but it’s exactly what every business needs to be successful,” she said. She urged tourism stakeholders to see every guest as an ambassador for the country, stressing that strong service and memorable experiences remain the most powerful advertisement for Guyana.
“This engagement is meant to communicate my passion for tourism, my passion for this sector, and where I would like to see it in the next five years,” Rodrigues told THAG members. “We want to give you increased clientele for you to be able to offer your services, and it will take every voice in this industry working together to achieve that.”

Advisory
Back in May, the US and Canada issued updated travel advisories for Guyana, warning their citizens to exercise caution due to high levels of violent crime and ongoing tensions along the border with Venezuela. In a statement released by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, travelers were urged to “reconsider travel to Guyana due to crime.” The advisory cited frequent incidents of violent crime, including murder and armed robbery, noting that such attacks are particularly common at night. The statement also highlighted the limited resources available to local law enforcement to respond effectively to serious incidents.
The advisory offered a list of precautionary measures, including avoiding nighttime travel, refraining from displaying expensive jewelry or signs of wealth, and exercising vigilance when visiting banks or ATMs. US authorities also encouraged travelers to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Programme (STEP) to receive security updates and to prepare contingency plans for emergencies.
The Government of Canada also issued a similar advisory on September 19, 2025, urging citizens to exercise a high degree of caution, particularly near the border with Venezuela. Canada cited the “volatile security environment” linked to the ongoing dispute over the Essequibo region and gang-related activity in the area. Canadians were advised to use only official border crossings with Brazil and Suriname and to monitor local media for security updates. Both advisories highlighted crime as a major concern across Guyana. Canadian officials pointed to the prevalence of homicides, armed robberies, assaults, carjackings and thefts from vehicles, noting that criminals often operate in groups and may surveil their targets for days before striking. Several neighborhoods in Georgetown, including Agricola, Albouystown, Sophia, and Tiger Bay, were specifically flagged as high-risk areas. Foreigners have also been warned against carrying large sums of cash, using street money changers, or relying on public minibuses, which were described as unsafe due to poor maintenance and reckless driving. The advisories come at a time when Guyana is rapidly expanding its oil, gas, and tourism sectors, with the Government working to brand the country as a premier investment and travel destination.