Tourism fast emerging as key economic contributor – Minister Rodrigues

…as Tourism Awareness Month 2025 launched at Baganara Island Resort, Region 7

Reaffirming the Government’s commitment to building tourism as a transformational pillar of Guyana’s economy, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues said that tourism is fast emerging as a key contributor to national growth and community development.
She was at the time delivering the feature address at the launch of Tourism Awareness Month 2025, held at the picturesque Baganara Island Resort in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
This year’s Tourism Awareness Month’s theme, “Tourism: A Transformational Pillar of Guyana’s Economy”, she noted, reflects the rapid transformation taking place in the industry.
“Over the past few years, we have witnessed genuine transformation in tourism, and we expect this trajectory to continue,” the Minister stated. She added that the sector continues to expand with inclusivity, sustainability, and purpose.
Minister Rodrigues said she was deeply honoured to lead the tourism portfolio, describing the moment as one of immense gratitude.
“It is such an immense pleasure to be here for my first launch of Tourism Awareness Month, and I could not envision a better location than Baganara Island Resort… this setting captures so much of what makes Guyana special: our natural beauty, hospitality, and our commitment to preserving both as we grow.” she said.

Major strides in the tourism sector
Highlighting the major strides made in connectivity and infrastructure, she pointed to Guyana’s strengthened air links with the world. She noted that over the past year, the Ministry has strengthened Guyana’s international connectivity through several new and expanded airline routes.
Collectively, these developments are expected to boost visibility, expand access, and create new opportunities for Guyana’s tourism sector.
She added that this progress is complemented by ongoing investments in people and communities, which she described as “the heart of Guyana’s tourism product.”
Through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), she explained that over $9.5 billion in carbon credit revenues has been distributed to more than 240 Indigenous villages, with 26 per cent of revenues earmarked for community-led projects.
“These funds are already supporting eco-lodges, trails, craft production, and training that strengthen community-based tourism while preserving traditional knowledge,” Rodríguez explained.

She emphasised that the transformation of tourism goes beyond numbers and arrivals; it is about the impact on lives.

Minister Rodrigues also emphasised that tourism, as a transformational pillar, represents growth that is inclusive, responsible, and uniquely Guyanese. She noted that the sector’s evolution can be seen in initiatives ranging from community-owned lodges in the Rupununi to the restoration of destinations such as Baganara Island Resort, each reflecting the progress and partnerships driving the industry forward.

Present and future initiatives and projects
She also announced that two new tourism products will be launched this month, one in Region Nine and another in Region Four, adding to the 68 products introduced since 2020, and revealed plans for a year-long Tourism Awareness Campaign aimed at behavioural change and improving hospitality standards across Guyana.
She added that the upcoming Tourism Awareness Campaign will confront key social issues such as littering, road behaviour, and public interaction with visitors. She explained that the initiative will be sustained across various media platforms to promote positive habits, national pride, and a stronger culture of hospitality.
“We will have those tough conversations… We will tackle our challenges with littering, with the way we interact on our roads, and with visitors. Unless we face these challenges, growth will always be constrained. This campaign will be aggressive, consistent and positive – using social media, billboards, radio, and television to change habits and inspire pride.” she said
The Minister also announced that, for the first time, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce will have a seat on the Rodeo Committee, which she said symbolises deeper collaboration with the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), the Rupununi Regional Tourism Association (RRTA), and other stakeholders.
“Each business, each guide, each community leader, and every worker plays a part in shaping Guyana’s tourism story. Together, we are creating an industry that welcomes visitors and uplifts our people. That is the transformation we celebrate today, one that is unique, driven by partnership, purpose, and pride.” she said.

The relevance of this year’s theme
Additionally, the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamrul Baksh, said the theme for this year’s celebration is a reflection of Guyana’s tourism reality, an industry that touches every community and supports livelihoods across the country.
“Tourism is the most cross-cutting sector. It sustains families, empowers communities, and drives sustainable development… it is a force for good and a catalyst for transformation,” Baksh stated.
He noted that Guyana is among the few countries that dedicate an entire month to tourism promotion, describing it as “a clear indication of the Government’s recognition of tourism’s importance.”
Baksh commended Minister Rodrigues for her leadership and the new energy she has brought to the sector.
“Under her stewardship, we are already seeing greater engagement between the public and Private Sectors,” he said.
He also pointed to the expansion of Guyana’s tourism product into new niches, including wellness, agritourism, culture, and adventure, while maintaining the country’s reputation as an ecotourism destination.
“The next five years will see an even stronger, more diversified tourism product… Our goal is to ensure that tourism remains at the heart of Guyana’s sustainable development story.” Baksh said
Baksh further acknowledged the collaboration of industry partners, including airlines, boat operators, chefs, tour guides, and artisans, whose efforts continue to enhance Destination Guyana.
Meanwhile, the President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar, said the theme represents more than a slogan; it is a commitment to building an inclusive and people-centred industry. He explained that tourism acts as an engine of inclusion, with benefits flowing to every level of society.
“When a visitor comes to Guyana, their spending benefits everyone from the boat captain in the Rupununi to the craft maker in Santa Aratak,” he said.
Ramkumar emphasised the importance of public-private collaboration, noting that Guyana’s tourism sector has reached new levels of partnership between Government agencies and the Private Sector. He described tourism as an export industry that not only brings foreign exchange but also promotes the “triple bottom line” of people, planet, and profit.
He encouraged all Guyanese to see themselves as ambassadors for their country, adding that every act of hospitality contributes to the nation’s image and growth.
The launch was attended by key stakeholders within the tourism and hospitality sector, including representatives from the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), members of the diplomatic corps, regional tourism officers, Private Sector partners, and Toshaos, among other representatives.