Govt to launch major tourism development & marketing drive from 2026

Looking ahead to 2026–2030, the Government of Guyana plans to accelerate tourism development through targeted investments in marketing, training, capacity building and destination development while also encouraging private sector participation, the Ministry of Tourism has revealed.
According to the Ministry, strategic tourism segments will be prioritised, including cruise tourism, agri-tourism, sports and entertainment, national and cultural events, and Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE), while further strengthening Guyana’s core offerings of nature, adventure, culture and community-led tourism. In the realms of training, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) will focus on building a highly skilled workforce, aiming to enhance service quality, tour guiding, first aid and CPR, business and social media management, culinary skills, green event management and other competencies critical to professionalising the sector. Lending its perspective towards marketing, the GTA will expand its presence across international trade and consumer shows, execute multi-market advertising campaigns, host familiarisation trips and support over 100 local events, including quarterly signature events, while a six-month campaign with BBC Wildlife Magazine will spotlight Guyana’s nature and wildlife to eco-travel audiences in the United Kingdom (UK).
Regarding product and destination development, the GTA will introduce six new tourism experiences and upgrade existing offerings, with a focus on ecolodge development, bird guide accreditation, agritourism policy implementation, tourism site improvements, cultural heritage protection, and circuit development in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine. Community-based tourism and sustainable livelihood projects in Regions Two and 10 will remain central to the country’s destination development strategy.
The GTA also plans to strengthen research and market representation with initiatives such as a centralised occupancy data system to provide real-time insights on accommodation performance, the creation of an integrated filming portal and expanded market representation in Caribbean, Latin American and European markets, all aimed at supporting informed Government-led tourism development.
As the Ministry carries this positive momentum into 2026, it lauded the work of the GTA, commending the team “for consistently going above and beyond, delivering results and making the extraordinary happen by any means necessary.”
With these initiatives, the Government aims to position Guyana as a top tourism destination while creating opportunities for local communities and showcasing the country’s unique natural and cultural offerings. In 2025, Guyana welcomed six new hotels, adding a total of 582 rooms to the country’s official room stock. Notable additions include Courtyard by Marriott (Timehri), Jewelz by King’s Hotel and the Royal International Hotel and Mall. With major construction underway, other hotels are expected to be established in 2026, including AC Marriott (Ogle).
Guyana also marked a key milestone in 2025 with the launch of its first Agri-Tourism Policy, an initiative designed to strengthen the linkages between agriculture and tourism while creating new opportunities for farmers, rural communities and tourism stakeholders. The policy was developed through a partnership between the GTA, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Ministry of Agriculture, the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), and other key stakeholders, whose collaboration has been instrumental in advancing agritourism and promoting sustainable development across the country. Another significant achievement in 2025 was the official launch of the Bird Guide Accreditation Programme, part of Guyana’s broader efforts to strengthen wildlife and ecotourism capacity. Phase one of the local bird guide training was successfully completed, equipping participants with essential knowledge and skills in bird identification, guiding techniques and responsible wildlife tourism practices.
Following the training, thirteen guides received official accreditation, attaining national, regional, or local status, which recognises their expertise and readiness to deliver high-quality birdwatching experiences to visitors. The programme is a key step toward developing professional standards for bird guiding in Guyana and contributes to the country’s broader goals of promoting sustainable tourism and preserving its unique natural heritage.