Guyana records highest-ever October visitor arrivals with 47,726

Guyana has seen 47,726 visitors in October, recording its highest-ever arrivals for the month and a 12.8 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. This was revealed by Tourism Minister Susan Rodrigues.

Leisure travel accounted for 59 per cent of arrivals, followed by business travel at 17 per cent and other purposes at 24 per cent. The USA remained the largest source market, accounting for 37.7 per cent of arrivals, followed by the Caribbean (33.9 per cent), Latin America (9.3 per cent), Canada (7.1 per cent) and Europe (5.5 per cent).

October’s arrivals coincided with several major regional and international events hosted in Guyana, including SOTIC, the Bethune Round Table, the Caribbean Shipping Association’s 56th AGM, Conference and Exhibition, and the Global Biodiversity Alliance Conference and Financing Forum.

It was also reported that, with 408,349 visitor arrivals recorded between January and October, Guyana is on track to reach its anticipated 500,000 arrivals by the end of 2026.

Only recently, during the launch of Tourism Awareness Month 2026, Minister Rodrigues highlighted the significant expansion of Guyana’s accommodation sector while underscoring the importance of inclusivity under this year’s theme.

“The country added 738 accommodation rooms in 2025 alone, and more than 1000 additional rooms are projected by the end of this year. By the end of this year also, Guyana’s total accommodation capacity is expected to exceed 5600 rooms. But the growth of our accommodation sector must be matched by the quality of the wider destination experience. Visitors do not experience a hotel in isolation.”

Rodrigues officially launched Tourism Awareness Month 2026 under the theme “Tourism is Everybody’s Business”, calling for greater participation across the country.

“So, with pride, optimism and a deep sense of national responsibility, I officially launch Tourism Awareness Month 2026 under a theme as simple as it is powerful: Tourism is everybody’s business. We gather here at a transformative juncture in our nation’s history. We must build on what makes our country special while ensuring that the experiences we deliver reflect the quality of the destination we promote. Our natural assets give us a strong foundation. Our people, their skills and their commitment to service help bring that foundation to life.”

Rodrigues stressed that tourism extends beyond hotels and tour operators, noting that taxi drivers, farmers, Indigenous communities and other local stakeholders all contribute to shaping visitors’ experiences in Guyana.

She explained that tourism creates opportunities for Indigenous communities to market traditional products, share cultural knowledge and develop livelihoods, while young people can pursue careers as naturalists, bird guides and wildlife spotters.

The Minister said successful community tourism enterprises can support networks of local workers and businesses, generating income and opportunities throughout the country. She added that tourism also carries a responsibility to maintain the cleanliness and condition of towns and public spaces.

Only recently has the Guyana Tourism Authority announced discounted tour packages throughout Tourism Awareness Month, giving Guyanese an opportunity to explore the country’s diverse destinations while taking advantage of special rates.