Hinterland eco-lodges need to expand accommodation capacity – former British diplomat

– lauds Guyana’s unique, boutique tourism offering

Hailed as a champion of Guyana’s tourism industry, former British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller, believes that the country has a unique boutique offer that is attracting a growing number of nature enthusiasts and the local eco-lodges, especially in the hinterland regions, need to expand their capacity to accommodate these travellers. Miller recently wrapped up a four-year tenure in Guyana during which she visited all 10 Administrative Regions across the country, including most of the nature resorts, as well as participated in some of the most unique adventures in the hinterland. Speaking with the Guyana Times prior to her departure on January 29, the former British envoy noted that birdwatching here is very popular among United Kingdom (UK) visitors, attracting dozens of them annually. However, she posited that the offerings within Guyana’s vast hinterland regions, including its pristine rainforest, is a top-selling point that needs to be capitalised on. “I think what you have is a very unique offer. You go into the interior…into the rainforest and you’re not surrounded by lots of other people. It makes it a very special offer. So, I think having this very boutique offering makes Guyana special. And I think the key thing for me is for Guyana to promote to the world what it does have at the moment. And they’ve been doing that… That’s why the numbers are increasing,” she noted. But with the influx of tourists, Miller says there needs to be adequate facilities in place even as she cautioned against large-scale resort developments in the hinterland regions. “Over time, if tourism is going to have a major impact on the economy, there needs to be more bed space. So, some of the lodges that just have two or three rooms need to become six or 10 rooms or whatever. There needs to be some expansion.” “What I hope we don’t see as an interior is massive resorts – because for me, that would spoil Guyana’s unique selling point. There will be parts of the country where that kind of resort would be wonderful. But for the genuine eco-tourism, the amazing small boutique, attention to detail, sitting with communities, the opportunity to get to know your hosts is a real special thing,” the former British envoy stated.

Building out Guyana’s ecotourism product
Already, Guyana has been named among some of the world’s top eco-tourism destinations and has even received multiple global awards in recognition for its commitment to sustainable tourism and diverse ecosystems. To further push its eco-tourism product, the Guyana Government is looking to build out several eco-lodges across the country and has already received approximately 30 proposals, which are currently being vetted by the Tourism Ministry. The areas identified for suitable investment of these eco-lodges were Mashabo in Region Two, Vreed en Hoop Waterfront and Leguan in Region Three, Stabroek Waterfront in Region Four, Bartica, Sakaika Falls and Kumerau Falls in Region Seven, Kamana and Orinduik Falls in Region Eight, and Lethem in Region Nine. In its request for proposals (RFPs), the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce said it was prepared to offer attractive incentives for the development of the eco lodge and resort industry, including fiscal incentives. The Government had said it will use the responses to the RFP to rank and select those parties who will be invited to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), including land terms, zoning, development conditions and other incentives that will be provided.
Personalised services

Meanwhile, recalling on her experience over the last four years, Miller said engaging with residents in remote hinterland communities is something she and her husband particularly enjoyed during their travels across Guyana over the years.
“Sitting down and talking to people about their life and their history and the history of the ranch, or the history of the river, or wherever we are – that made it so special. So, I think you have to promote Guyana as this boutique offer where you have that personalised service. Yes, you have incredible fishing opportunities, incredible bird watching, but getting to know the people, for me, has been the most special thing,” the former diplomat stated. A part from her favourite pastime activity – the Mahaica River tour, Miller told this newspaper that climbing up to the Kaieteur, the world’s longest single-drop waterfall at 741 feet that is located in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), is amongst the top of her cherished adventures in Guyana. “That was an incredibly special experience. Going along the river and then climbing up the hill is absolutely stunning. One of my favourite things in this country is just going into the rainforest and the silence and all you hear is birds – the screaming piha – or you just hear the crickets, the frogs, and just that special, complete peace and surrounded by nature. And you have that all over your country, so it makes that special almost anywhere… You have a very, very beautiful country, and it’s not known about enough. So, I think the more we promote what is here, the more people you’re going to get coming to Guyana,” she emphasised.

THAG appreciation
Just days prior to her departure, Miller was presented with a token of appreciation by the Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG). According to THAG, since her appointment as the UK’s resident representative to Guyana in July 2021, Miller has shown an exceptional and genuine dedication to experiencing, understanding and championing Guyana’s tourism product. “She is not only a supporter of the sector, but a true tourism ambassador, curious, engaged and deeply appreciative of the country, its people and its natural heritage. Jane didn’t just speak about tourism — she actively supported its development,” the tourism body stated. In recognition of her impact to local tourism, the former British diplomat had received the President’s Choice Award at THAG’s President’s Awards Dinner in 2024 as well as contributed to two editions of THAG’s Explore Guyana magazine. In the 2022 edition, “Impressions of a Newbie,” she shared her early encounters with the city and hinterland, while her 2024 piece, “Falling in Love with Beautiful Guyana,” highlighted her top recommendations for visitors, reflecting her growing connection to the destination.