Guyana targets new tourism record after arrivals rise 22%
Key Points(5)
- Guyana is aiming to record its highest number of visitor arrivals in 2026 after welcoming 453,489 visitors in 2025, a 22% increase over the previous year.
- Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues said visitor arrivals this year continued to exceed figures recorded during the corresponding months of 2025.
- Speaking on the Starting Point podcast on Sunday, Rodrigues said the government hoped to build on the previous year’s growth and establish a new tourism record.
- “This year also we are looking to increase that and break our record from last year and let this year, 2026, be the highest number of visitor arrivals on record,” she said.
- The government is seeking to attract more visitors by hosting major conferences, expanding festivals and increasing Guyana’s visibility in international markets.
Guyana is aiming to record its highest number of visitor arrivals in 2026 after welcoming 453,489 visitors in 2025, a 22% increase over the previous year.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues said visitor arrivals this year continued to exceed figures recorded during the corresponding months of 2025.
Speaking on the Starting Point podcast on Sunday, Rodrigues said the government hoped to build on the previous year’s growth and establish a new tourism record.
“This year also we are looking to increase that and break our record from last year and let this year, 2026, be the highest number of visitor arrivals on record,” she said.
The government is seeking to attract more visitors by hosting major conferences, expanding festivals and increasing Guyana’s visibility in international markets.
Rodrigues said the growth of tourism was also creating opportunities for investment and employment, with new hotels, restaurants and visitor experiences generating economic activity and opening opportunities for entrepreneurs.
She highlighted the work of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), which she said had helped launch more than 40 tourism products over the past six years.
Much of that development has focused on sustainable and community-based tourism, particularly in Indigenous communities.
“I have seen that foundational work being done. What I want to do now is to bring a lot of visibility to the country,” Rodrigues said.
She also stressed the importance of establishing a predictable calendar of festivals to help prospective visitors plan trips, arrange time off work and experience Guyana’s culture.
The minister said tourism development should extend beyond increasing visitor numbers to supporting small businesses and preserving the country’s cultural heritage and natural environment.
“It’s not just about increasing visitor arrivals, but it’s about championing small businesses,” she said.
Rodrigues pointed to the roles of agencies such as the Guyana National Bureau of Standards and the Small Business Bureau in strengthening standards, supporting entrepreneurs and facilitating trade.
She said these efforts would remain important as Guyana seeks to expand its tourism industry and ensure that the economic benefits reach businesses and communities across the country.
