President Ali urges Sandals to invest in Guyana eco-tourism push
Key Points(5)
- Mohamed Irfaan Ali is urging global hospitality giant Sandals Resorts International to establish a flagship property in Guyana, positioning the country as a premier eco-tourism destination in the Caribbean.
- Speaking at the launch of CAM Motors and the introduction of FOTON and JETOUR vehicles in Georgetown, Ali made a direct appeal to Sandals CEO Adam Stewart, arguing that entering Guyana would represent a strategic expansion into one of the region’s most promising emerging tourism markets.
- The president said Guyana’s natural assets, biodiversity and cultural diversity give it a competitive edge for sustainable tourism development, describing it as uniquely positioned for a high-end eco-resort model that differs from traditional Caribbean beach destinations.
- He encouraged Sandals to partner with the local private sector to develop what he called a “number one eco-destination” for the brand, emphasizing that the country’s tourism growth is increasingly being driven by domestic investment alongside foreign capital.
- Ali also highlighted what he described as strong investor confidence in the country, noting that tourism expansion is becoming a key pillar of diversification beyond oil and gas.
President Irfaan Ali has made a direct appeal to Sandals Resorts International to establish operations in Guyana, positioning the country as a premier eco-tourism destination and one of the region’s most promising investment opportunities.
Speaking on Saturday at the launch of CAM Motors and the official introduction of FOTON and JETOUR vehicles at Railway Courtyard on Lamaha Street in Georgetown, the president addressed Sandals CEO Adam Stewart in person, urging the company to consider Guyana as a strategic expansion site.
Sandals currently operates all-inclusive beachfront resorts across eight Caribbean destinations and is widely regarded as one of the region’s leading hospitality brands.
President Ali argued that Guyana’s combination of natural assets, biodiversity and expanding tourism sector makes it an ideal location for a world-class eco-resort, adding that the country offers a tourism product unlike anywhere else in the Caribbean.
He said the absence of a Sandals property in Guyana represents a missed opportunity for the brand, and called for deeper engagement with the country’s private sector to develop what he described as a flagship eco-destination.
In a pointed appeal, Ali said, “You will be doing your brand a great disservice if you don’t have the bold capacity that I know your brand carries…make the best possible investment decision…That decision is to work with our private sector as partners in creating Sandals’ number one eco-destination, all-inclusive resort here in Guyana.”
The president also highlighted what he described as growing confidence among local investors, noting that domestic capital is already playing a significant role in driving tourism expansion.
He told attendees that Guyana’s competitive advantage lies in its biodiversity, cultural richness and authenticity of visitor experiences, arguing that no other destination in the region can match its natural or cultural depth.
“I can assure you that none will come close to you, none will match you, because none can match the beauty of this country, none can match the natural heritage of this country, and none can match the cultural significance, cultural intensity, the diverseness of our culture and the richness of our culture,” he said.
Ali added that these strengths position Guyana to emerge as a leader in eco-tourism and sustainable destination development, particularly as global demand shifts toward more nature-based travel experiences.
He also used the platform to call on the local private sector to increase investment in tourism infrastructure and related industries, stressing that Guyana’s long-term economic growth must extend beyond oil and gas into diversified sectors such as tourism and value-added services.
