January-May visitor arrivals increased by 12.8% in 2024

Guyana has seen an increase in the number of persons entering the country for the first half of the year, this increase was highlighted by the Tourism, Industry & Commerce Ministry and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in its half year sector updates.
According to the report From January to May 2024, visitor arrivals increased significantly by 12.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2023 with a total of 141,078 visitors entering the country during this period. Moreover, this year’s May month arrivals have also recorded an increase in visitors when compared to last year. According to the report visitor arrivals increased by 14.6 per cent in May 2024 compared to May 2023, with 28,327 visitors making this year’s May month arrivals the second highest overall.
Additionally, the United States (US) dominated the market share of the month of May accounting for 47 per cent of visitors this was followed by the Caribbean 27 per cent, Canada eight per cent, Europe six pers cent, Latin America six per cent and other markets six per cent.
It was noted that the increase of visitors during this period is a result of multiple initiatives implemented by the Tourism Ministry and the Guyana Tourism Authority who worked assiduously on several extensive, collaborative projects, programmes and initiatives to achieve significant strides in promoting and developing Guyana’s tourism product.
As of June, the GTA recorded 82 licensed businesses and tourist guides. This includes 16 tourism accommodation establishments, 11 interior lodges and resorts, 18 tourist guides, and 37 tour operators. At the end of June 2024, the GTA had trained 1267 persons in priority areas. Training has theoretical and practical components to ensure that the participants can exercise any of the content administered. Training areas include: Birding Guide training, First Aid and CPR training, Intro to Tourism & Ecolodge Development Training, Delivering Quality Service, Successful Taxi Driver training, Booking and Online Payment Seminar, Business & Financial Management training, Tour Guiding Training and Digital Marketing among others. Notably a total of 36 properties have been officially entered into the GTA’s ICC T20 Bed & Breakfast Property database. These businesses have been officially inspected by the GTA in order to receive their conditional approval.
Additionally, as Guyana’s room stock continues to grow, a total of four new hotel establishments will be added this year, totaling 595 rooms, with this increase in accommodation Guyana is expected to record 208,922 visitors between July – December 2024, which is a 23 per cent increase compared to the same period of the previous year. In total, 350,000 visitors are expected to enter the country in 2024.
Meanwhile, in 2023, Guyana experienced an 11 per cent increase in visitors entering the country when compared to the previous year. Last year the country welcomed a total of 319,147 tourists through various ports. However, it has been noted that the majority of those visitors were not from Guyana’s diaspora group. Notably, only 45% (144,307) of those arrivals were diaspora visitors, while 55% (174,840) were from its non-diaspora group. The statistical report highlighted that most of the non-Guyanese visitors had travelled from the United States and the Caribbean, with 44,704 and 71,305 visitors respectfully. Meanwhile, the largest contingents of Guyanese diaspora travellers hailed from the United States (105,158) and Canada (19,851). The total number of visitors entering the country this year is expected to grow by nine per cent, with an estimated total of 350,000 persons entering the country. Arrivals are expected to increase due to the following events/ activities: Guyana/Cricket Carnival, Caribbean Premiere League 2024 (CPL), and other sporting events.
Further, the country can expect additional visitors due to the continued oil production, increased marketing and expanded product development, and major conferences.