Guyana’s tourism sector has entered an unprecedented chapter of growth and recognition on the global stage, with the latest visitor arrivals demonstrating the nation’s accelerating appeal to both regional and international markets. The period from January to July 2025 has delivered record-breaking results, reflecting a combination of strategic planning, market diversification and industry stakeholders’ promotion to position Guyana as a premier destination.
From January to July this year, 242,655 visitors crossed the country’s borders, an 18 per cent increase compared to the 205,646 recorded during the same period in 2024. This is a signal of sustained momentum across all seven months, with growth outpacing the regional average and underscoring the effectiveness of policies aimed at expanding the country’s tourism footprint.
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) remains the principal gateway, welcoming 168,582 visitors in the first seven months of the year. The Eugene F Correia International Airport (EFCIA) followed with 63,250 arrivals, while the Lethem and Moleson Creek ports of entry recorded 4483 and 6340 arrivals, respectively. Such distribution of entry points demonstrates a maturing and more geographically balanced tourism sector, with benefits extending beyond the capital to regional hubs.
The United States continues to lead as Guyana’s largest source market, contributing 41 per cent of total arrivals, followed by significant shares from the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, and Latin America. This diversity of markets is both a strength and a safeguard, insulating the sector from over-dependence on any single region and fostering resilience against global economic fluctuations.
The performance seems to be driven by multiple factors converging at the right moment. Enhanced air connectivity, including increased flight frequencies and expanded routes, has improved access. Targeted marketing campaigns in key source markets have elevated Guyana’s profile, while the resurgence of diaspora travel has brought returning visitors eager to reconnect with heritage and family. Beyond that, the hosting of cultural festivals and sporting tournaments, the biggest being the Caribbean Premier League, and the launch of new tourism products, from eco-adventures in pristine hinterlands to high-end hospitality offerings, have diversified the visitor experience.
A month-by-month analysis shows robust and consistent growth. January’s arrivals rose by 22.8 per cent over last year, April marked the strongest monthly gain at 28.6 per cent, and other months posted double-digit increases, including May at 17.6 per cent, June at 15.2 per cent, and July at 16.7 per cent. Such sustained performance speaks to a structural shift rather than a one-off spike, indicating that Guyana is successfully converting awareness into actual visitation.
This upswing in visitor arrivals forms part of an even broader expansion in overall passenger traffic. Between January and June 2025, more than one million passengers passed through CJIA alone, matching the total arrivals through all ports of entry for the entirety of the previous year. Such statistics point to both tourism growth and increased mobility in business, trade, and family travel, reflecting a more dynamic national economy.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond has rightly framed these results as a direct outcome of coordinated, strategic efforts to elevate the tourism sector. By promoting certified tourism businesses, deepening partnerships, and broadening the product base, the Government and its partners are laying the groundwork for tourism to stand as a major contributor to the national GDP.
What is emerging is a redefinition of Guyana’s tourism identity. The country is increasingly recognised for its authenticity, offering visitors untouched natural landscapes, vibrant cultural traditions, and genuine human connection.
This momentum, however, is not self-sustaining without continued focus. Continued investment in infrastructure must keep pace with rising arrivals, from airport facilities to road networks and telecommunications. Workforce development is equally critical, ensuring that service standards remain high and that employment opportunities in tourism translate into long-term careers for Guyanese citizens.
The record-breaking visitor arrivals for 2025 are therefore a demonstration of a clear vision, collaborative execution, and the inherent attractiveness of Guyana’s tourism proposition. With strategic continuity, the sector can deliver more than short-term economic gains but sustained prosperity.
Guyana’s tourism story is still in its early chapters, but the narrative is unfolding with remarkable promise.
