“An example others can follow” – Finance Minister on new hotel in Region 2

President Dr Irfaan Ali recently joined local businessman Roopan Ramotar and his family to commission their 43-room Rooster International Hotel at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), which he noted is a welcomed addition to the rapidly growing hospitality in the county.

Speaking during the simple commissioning ceremony, President Ali highlighted the businessman’s continued investment in Region Two, noting that he has answered the Government’s call for greater private sector participation in the hospitality industry.

“This is a man that has planted 70,000 coconut trees, 400 acres of new coconut plantation in the last two years alone…and 100 acres of plantains. This is to tell you that we have in our country investors who are willing to partner with the Government in creating the opportunities we’re championing,” President Ali noted.

President Ali also commended Ramotar’s decision to diversify into hospitality, noting that the additional 43 rooms will help address the growing demand for accommodation in Region Two.

“Those of you who come to Essequibo a lot can attest to the growth in the traffic coming to Essequibo in the last four years. We put on more ferries; you need more space, and then some of you here who try to get a room in Essequibo, especially on weekends, know how difficult that can be, especially if it’s a holiday weekend or an event-filled weekend,” he explained.

Meanwhile, also delivering remarks during the ceremony, Senior Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for finance, Dr Ashni Singh, noted that this investment is reflective of President Ali’s vision that transformation must take place countrywide.

“Development, modernisation and the creation of economic opportunities must, by President Ali’s objectives, be experienced and enjoyed and be benefitted from in all of the regions in our country,” Dr Singh expressed.

He further highlighted the region’s potential to become not just an agricultural hub but a major tourist attraction, similarly noting that the businessman’s move to diversify into the sector sets an example for other investors to follow.

“I want to compliment you for responding to the favourable investment environment that President Ali has been creating under his visionary leadership. I want to compliment you for making these investments in region two, and I think in that regard, you’re setting an example that others will no doubt follow,” the Finance Minister outlined.

It was in March 2025 that President Ali had called for more hotel rooms to be developed in Region Two. He had noted that though many hoteliers on the Essequibo Coast have increased their capacity to accommodate more guests over the past four years, the region still faces a shortage of rooms, especially on long weekends.

At the time, he had noted that the Ministry of Tourism was tasked with developing a special marketing plan to encourage more persons to invest in the region.

Many families travel to Essequibo on long weekends to enjoy recreational activities at destinations including the Mainstay Resort, Lake Capoey and more.

The influx of persons travelling to the region further increased with the additional ferry plying the Parika – Supenaam route.

Across the country, there are several hotels which are being built to accommodate the increase in visitors to Guyana, the majority of them being situated in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

In fact, Guyana is on track to add over 1000 hotel rooms in 2026, boosting the total room stock to more than 5600 by the end of the year, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues had revealed during the budget debates in February.

It was recently reported that Guyana recorded a whopping 40,149 visitor arrivals in May alone, marking a 20.6 per cent increase over May 2025 and the strongest May performance in the country’s tourism history.