Major US companies interested in building 5000 rooms for world-class hotels in Guyana

Several major United States hotel chains have heeded the call by the Guyana Government and expressed interest in constructing close to 5000 hotel rooms in order to boost local accommodation capacity.

This is according to US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, during remarks at the Annual General Meeting(AGM) of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Guyana) on Wednesday. She disclosed that over the past year, inquiries by US companies at the Embassy in Georgetown have quadrupled, given Guyana’s upward trajectory as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world due primarily to its oil
Ambassador Lynch said that there was interest in opportunities in a variety of sectors, including the hospitality industry.
“To support this burgeoning industry, US hospitality firms have dominated the Government of Guyana’s request for proposals by submitting Expressions of Interest for nearly 5000 rooms from world-class brands such as Hilton Garden Inn, Best Western, Courtyard Marriott, and others,” the US diplomat related.

Shortly after taking office in August 2020, President Dr Irfaan Ali invited investors to submit proposals for the construction of international-branded hotels to increase the country’s accommodation capacity and meet the demands of the growing influx of foreigners.
In fact, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said back in May that Guyana could see as many as eight new hotels going up over the next few years as the local hospitality industry grows in tandem with the oil and gas sector.
In response to Government’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for hotels to be constructed in the vicinity of Guyana’s main port of entry, local construction company R Bassoo & Sons Ltd entered into agreements with Marriott Hotels International and the Government of Guyana to design and build a Marriott Courtyard – a US$20 million project – at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The sod was turned for this project in July and construction has commenced with completion slated for 2023.
The Marriott Courtyard at the CJIA, which will be the second Marriott Hotel brand in Guyana, caters for a six-storey Marriott Courtyard with 140 rooms and modern amenities. The hotel would be a minute’s drive from the entrance of the CJIA, and is expected to accommodate airline crews and staff, business people, diplomats, and other travellers.
Additionally, a Trinidadian company is also in the preparatory stages of commencing construction of another Marriott-branded hotel – AC Marriott – at Ogle, East Coast Demerara. The 150-room facility is located near the Ogle Airport.
Meanwhile, back in March, the sod was turned for a US$15 million boutique hotel under the Aiden brand to be constructed in the heart of Georgetown. The hotel, which would feature 101 “smart rooms”, is being constructed as part of the Best Western Hotel and Resorts franchise.
And in November, the Government of Guyana, through the Tourism and Commerce Ministry and the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with investors for a US$90 million Hilton Hotel to be constructed at McDoom, Greater Georgetown.
The investors in the luxury hotel are part of a joint initiative among 658 Guyana Holdings, GREC Investment Group and TOTALTEC Oilfield Services Guyana Incorporated. The 289-room branded hotel would be constructed in the already busy area which is home to many businesses such as Gafoors, Pritipaul Singh Investment Inc, Guyana Shore Base Inc, Farm Supplies, and Schlumberger.
Around the same time, Giftland Group Chairman Roy Beepat, announced plans to construct a US$100 million Radisson Blu Hotel, for which the agreement has already been finalised to offer this five-star package to Guyana.
Other globally recognised hotel brands like the Hyatt Hotels have also expressed an interest in expanding to Guyana. (G8)