THE highly anticipated Courtyard by Marriott that is being built near the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri, is slated to open its doors in August.

The hotel will be providing employment to some 100 persons residing around the Timehri area, and accommodation to airport staff, and tourists/visitors entering Guyana by way of the airport.

The Chief Executive Officer of Cardinal Investments Inc., Roy Bassoo, recently explained that the hotel has been furnished and they are now testing equipment, ensuring the facility is safe and ready for those who will be staying and working there.

This US$20 million investment will pave the way for the addition of 150 rooms to Guyana’s hospitality sector. It has six floors and sits on 2.5 acres of land leased by the Guyana Government. It is approximately one minute away from the entrance of the CJIA and close to the Timehri roundabout.

Guyana’s visitor arrivals are expected to surpass 420,000 by the end of this year. For this reason, the government continues to make an effort to ensure that more rooms are added to meet the nation’s growing accommodation capacity. More than 600 rooms are also expected by the end of 2025. This is inclusive of the Courtyard by Marriott, AC Marriott, Hyatt Place, Four Points by Sheraton, and King’s Hotel.

Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service Dr Ashni Singh, earlier this year said that on assuming office in 2020, the government forged ahead to revitalise the tourism sector, with a focus on hotel-room capacity expansion and the growth in Bed and Breakfast “Airbnb” establishments.  He noted that government recognises the hospitality sector as a “vital driver” of job creation, and said that in 2024, training was provided to more than 8,000 persons to further improve the quality of this service.

Prior to assuming office, the PPP/C made a pledge to citizens to provide tax incentives for new investments, re-tooling and technological improvements, establish a fund to stimulate innovation and new businesses, develop a hospitality institute and provide training for skills required in that sector, provide incentives for businesses in the hospitality industry, including the establishment of a number of world-class hotels, and the re-establishment of the Ministry of Tourism and promotion of nature, eco- and adventure tourism. These are all in progress.

On the global stage, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, during Expo 2025 in Japan, outlined the nation’s economic transformation and commitment to sustainability, as well as the country’s growing global appeal as an investment and tourism destination.

In a previous publication, Minister Walrond was quoted as saying, “Guyana is a land of potential and opportunity. We invite you to engage with us in the shared pursuit of economic growth, environmental stewardship, and global collaboration.”