Tourism Awareness Month launched

Tourism must be embraced as a shared national responsibility, with every Guyanese contributing to the development of an industry capable of generating sustainable livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities.

This was the message of Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues on Saturday evening as she officially launched Tourism Awareness Month 2026 under the theme, “Tourism is Everybody’s Business,” at the Aiden By Best Western Hotel in Georgetown.

This year’s observance places Georgetown in the spotlight, recognising the capital’s transformation and its growing importance as a centre for business travel, conferences and cultural experiences.

“We are pleased to see Georgetown transform. We are pleased to see our skyline changing with the addition of modern infrastructure,” she said.

The minister noted that tourism success depends on the entire visitor experience, extending from the quality of accommodation and transportation to residents’ hospitality and the condition of public spaces.

“Keeping our city clean is therefore not only a municipal concern, but it is also a matter of civic pride, environmental responsibility, and the reputation of our destination,” Minister Rodrigues stated.

She spoke of tourism’s ability to generate economic opportunities across multiple industries.

She explained that increased demand from hotels and restaurants can benefit local farmers, fisherfolk and manufacturers, while community-based tourism creates markets for indigenous products, traditional crafts and cultural experiences.

Guyana added 738 hotel rooms in 2025, with more than 1,000 additional rooms projected by the end of 2026, taking total capacity beyond 5,600 rooms.

Visitor arrivals have also recorded significant growth, reaching 360,623 by September 2026, representing a 10 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year.

The country is projecting more than 500,000 visitors by year-end. The Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute is also expected to commence operations in 2027.

Meanwhile, digital initiatives, including the Tourism Licensing and Regulatory Management Portal and the national destination booking engine, are being advanced to improve access to tourism services and connect visitors with experiences across the country.

Additionally, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Kamrul Baksh, said the November campaign will place greater emphasis on making tourism relevant to every community through public engagement, digital promotions and discounted domestic travel packages.

He noted that the programme will also feature a tourism mascot and opportunities for citizens to contribute creative interpretations of the national theme.

The November calendar will also feature international promotional engagements in London and Brussels, a tourism village at GuyExpo from November 12 to 15, a media familiarisation trip to Essequibo and the launch of new tourism products.