By Omari Joesph
Tourism and hospitality is booming in Guyana. In 2021, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill announced that eight new hotels would be built in the “next couple of years.” His statement signalled that the coronavirus pandemic hardly dented hotel investors’ confidence in Guyana. President Dr Irfaan Ali confirmed the optimism in 2024 when he raised the number to fifteen new hotels in the next four years, adding thousands of rooms to Guyana’s stock. Is there too much focus on building hotels? Without context, such a dramatic expansion of the sector may sound misguided. However, the numbers and industry trends indicate that these investments are long overdue.
Tourist arrivals have increased yearly since the airways reopened after the pandemic. According to the Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, Guyana had over 319,000 arrivals in 2023, a new record high. These visitors spent an estimated US$338 million, based on figures from the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest).

The burgeoning oil and gas sector is responsible for much of the growth in visitor arrivals. However, Guyana’s hosting of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Finals and Cricket Carnival for three consecutive years has also increased arrivals. As the oil and gas sector grows and Guyana continues to host more international events, the demand for world-class accommodation will continue to rise.
Several internationally recognised brands such as Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson and Best Western are coming to Guyana to meet growing demand. Through the Tourism and Commerce Ministry and the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), the Government of Guyana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2020 with investors to construct a US$90 million Hilton Hotel at McDoom, Greater Georgetown. A Courtyard by Marriott Hotel is coming to Timehri, East Bank Demerara, in 2024. The boutique-style Aiden by Best Western Hotel at Robb and
Oronoque Streets in Georgetown is expected to open in 2024. Construction is also ongoing for the US$32.2 million Hyatt Place Hotel at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
Additionally, local investors have responded to the growth trends in the hospitality sector by introducing local hotel brands. In 2021, businessman Ganesh Jaigobin opened the $200M Jaigobin Hotel in Anna Regina, Region Two. Another Essequibian entrepreneur, Riyadh Khan, is building the $500M Rif’s Hotel near the Anna Regina Stadium. Guyanese living abroad have also noticed the industry trends. Two overseas-based Guyanese investors, Dr Dave Sawh and his cousin Rishi Chinapen, have initiated plans to construct the US$3.5 million Lakeside

International Hotel at Anna Regina. Meanwhile, one of the most significant investments comes from a local group, The Sheriff Group of Companies, which announced the construction of a US$100M luxury hotel and casino at Palmyra, Berbice.
The tourism trends also showcase that the government and private sector are holistically collaborating to develop the tourism and hospitality sector. Improving Guyana’s attractiveness as a destination also means making it easier for tourists to come by air. Guyana is made more accessible by increasing airlift capacity and connections to more global destinations. Hence, these hotel investments will benefit from Guyana’s annual increase in airlift capacity.
Airlift capacity tripled from 2021 to 2023, reaching 1.2 million seats due to the addition of new airlines like British Airways, American Airlines, and United Airlines. Existing carriers also increased the frequency of flights to Guyana. The government also facilitated new direct connections to the Dominican Republic and Cuba. One of the most notable new connections is the Georgetown-Houston route from United Airlines, with four flights weekly in 2024.Guyana’s rapid expansion necessitates the development of quality accommodations across the country.
There should be optimism about Guyana’s burgeoning tourism and hospitality sector, which has the potential to deliver a world-class standard to meet the growing demand. Although hotels have received the most attention during Guyana’s post-pandemic tourism growth, the tourism and hospitality sector is undoubtedly expanding in many areas beyond hotels.