Guyana records 103 per cent increase in tourist arrivals in 5 months

Tourism visitor arrivals record between January to May this year have indicated that Guyana has witnessed a 103 per cent increase.

It was revealed that the nation’s tourist count has taken a significant leap to 105,905 during the five months when compared to the 48,626 recorded in the same period last year.

The ministry said that in fact, an additional 158,223 visitors are expected to travel here later this month, ahead of Guyana’s hosting of the finals of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

It was noted that the exceptional accomplishment comes at a time when the tourism sector continues to face enormous challenges due to the successive waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite this, the current Government remains resolute in equipping the sector with the necessary capital to develop the human resources to meet the demands of the rapidly growing economy.

However, constant intervention by the government has visibly propelled Guyana into the ranks of developed countries, with a standard and quality of living that Guyanese have dreamed of for generations.

As such, the local room availability and conference facilities were boosted with the opening of the US $100M Pegasus Luxury Suites and Corporate Centre in July this year.

Further, the 12-storey glass tower provides an additional 100 rooms to the current stock, in addition to the seven-storey office complex.

Additionally, it was noted that the tourism sector will benefit from the establishment of two luxury hotels, a 150-room Marriott Courtyard at Timehri, where construction works have commenced, and the Pasha Global at Liliendaal, which will include about 200 rooms.

It was disclosed that the sod will be turned for the AC Marriott at Ogle, and Four Points Sheraton in Providence. The two hotels will each offer 150 rooms.

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond, stressed that the hotel expansion will undoubtedly provide quality accommodation for the influx of foreigners investing in the country.

The minister reieterated that the investment is also aligned with the government’s mandate to create 50,000 jobs for Guyanese.

“Our tremendous progress on this front makes it imperative to ensure that our Guyanese citizens are ably qualified for the imminent jobs and positions at all tiers of the industry, including senior management,” Walrond said.

Meanwhile, it was noted that the collaboration between several tour operators, the private sector and communities across Guyana has also contributed to the expansion of tour experiences in Guyana.

As such, several new products were established including the Kopinang Waterfall Experience, Region Eight; Nappi Mountain Trekking, Region Nine; Rainforest Retreat Experience, Region Four, and Gobin’s Farm Experience, Region Three.

Additionally, it was stressed that the return of the popular Rupununi Rodeo has boosted Region Nine’s local economy, enabling many small business owners to market and sell their products, including indigenous handmade crafts and cuisines.

Further, for the first half of 2022, some 808 persons were also trained in business and social media marketing, first aid and CPR, and hygiene and sanitisation, aimed at improving the delivery of quality tourism experiences to customers.

Additionally, another 6,000 persons will be trained through a Guyana- Barbados joint tourism initiative.

It was pointed out that with Guyana swiftly becoming one of the most sought-after destinations for pleasure within the Caribbean, President, Irfaan Ali also recently announced that visitors entering Guyana will be able to drive a motor vehicle up to 60 days using their country’s driver’s licence.

It was further disclosed that persons coming here are assured of receiving quality goods and services, as the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is mandated to ensure the business community is up to standard. Approximately $312.8M GUY of the budgeted $732.1M GUY was expended in the tourism sector for the first half of 2022.