Guyana pushing eco-tourism agenda

– to focus on eco-product buildout

The Guyana Government is advancing a robust agenda to create a thriving local tourism industry and with heavy investments seeing an unprecedented growth in the country’s room stock over the last five years, the focus will now be shifted to building out its eco-product. President Dr Irfaan Ali made this remark on Saturday evening during the opening of yet another new hotel in Georgetown – the US$18 million Plaza Court Hotel on Main Street. “Over the past five years, Guyana has experienced a remarkable transformation in its accommodation landscape… But the next phase is to match the eco-lodges and match investment in a nature-based product or eco-based product with the same intensity for the development of hotels. And we’re going to match it. We don’t have a choice. The only choice before us is success,” the Head of State emphasised. Eco-product buildout entails integrating sustainability principles into every stage of a product’s lifecycle, to minimise environmental impacts while achieving maximum efficiency with natural resources. According to one report, companies that manage products from inception to end of life can minimise environmental impact while simultaneously creating business opportunities, such as cost reduction and enhanced market positions.

Eco-tourism
In order to push eco-tourism, the Guyana Government last year launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) for new tourism facilities in different regions across Guyana. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, this initiative offered attractive incentives, including fiscal incentives, for community-driven investments that will create jobs and expand economic opportunities for residents. As part of this broader strategy to unleash Guyana’s tourism potential, the Government had invited local and international developers to submit proposals for new eco-lodge and resort projects in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
The areas have been identified as suitable for investment: Mashabo (Region Two), Vreed-en-hoop Waterfront and Leguan (Region Three), Stabroek Waterfront (Region Four), Bartica, Sakaika and Kumerau in Region Seven, Kamana and Orinduik in Region Eight and Lethem in Region Nine. Interested developers had until December 31, 2025, to submit their proposals. During an Address to the Nation on December 17, 2025, President Ali disclosed that the response to that EOI has been tremendous. As outlined in its 2025 Manifesto, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has vowed to harness Guyana’s unmatched natural beauty and transform the nation into the Caribbean’s premier tourism destination. The Guyanese leader had previously stated that tourism is one of the world’s fastest-growing industries and Guyana offers massive potential with its pristine rainforests, rivers and rich cultural heritage. Echoing the same sentiments at Saturday’s hotel opening, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, pointed out that eco-tourism and sustainable tourism remains central to Guyana’s long term tourism strategy, which includes positioning the country as the premier destination in the Caribbean region.

According to Rodrigues, Guyana is already being recognised internationally for its environmental stewardship, Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and biodiversity conservation. It is important, she added, that the country capitalises on this recognition. “Our tourism product is built around protected areas, Indigenous and community-led tourism, rainforest and river experiences and wildlife-based travel. This focus is a strategic advantage. Sustainable tourism supports livelihoods in our hinterland and rural communities, protects our natural assets, and aligns with global demand for authentic and responsible travel. Continued investment in eco-lodges, conservation partnerships and community tourism ensures that growth in this sector remains inclusive, resilient and environmentally sound,” the Minister stressed. Only recently, Guyana received three major international recognitions that reinforced its space on the global tourism market. Bloomberg has identified Guyana among its ‘Top 25 Destinations of 2026’; the New York Times featured Guyana in its ‘Globally Influential 52 places to go in 2026; and Wanderlust, one of Europe’s most renowned travel media brands, recognised Guyana as one of the ‘Top 26 Destinations for 2026.’ “These are not symbolic mentions. These platforms shape travel demand in our key source markets and influence how destinations are positioned to investors, airlines, tour operators and international travellers. Their recognition confirms that Guyana is now firmly positioned on the global tourism landscape,” the Tourism Minister asserted. In 2025, Guyana recorded some 453,489 visitor arrivals – a 22 per cent increase over 2024. According to data verified by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, Guyana’s largest source market remains the United States (US), accounting for approximately 40 per cent of arrivals, followed by the Caribbean region at 33 per cent, while Canada, the United Kingdom (UK) and other international markets made up the remaining percentage of visitors.