ACCEPTING the Best Emerging Destination 2026 title for the Co-operative Republic of Guyana at the World Tourism Awards and Gala Dinner in Brussels Monday evening, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, received more than a trophy.
Guyanese have always believed that our country has something that the world wants to see and she got international confirmation of it.
Something to celebrate, something to think about and it signals that Guyana is no longer a destination of extraordinary potential.
It is emerging as a major force in international tourism, capturing the attention and imagination of travellers the world over.
The timing is important. The award comes after a rise in the number of visitors, an increase in investment in tourism infrastructure, an increase in the capacity of accommodation and the arrival on the market of a wider range of authentic and immersive experiences.
The numbers tell a simple story: Guyana received 453,489 visitors in 2025, a 22 per cent increase over 2024 and the highest number of arrivals in the country’s history.
This is no statistical anomaly. This is a reflection of growing demand for what Guyana has to offer and the effect of sustained efforts to access key international source markets.
There is a strategy behind those numbers. The government under the leadership of President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali is taking a holistic strategy to tourism development with investment in national infrastructure, international air connectivity, accommodation, human capital, destination marketing and the tourism product itself.
Tourism is now firmly on the national development agenda as a pillar of economic diversification and a source of jobs, entrepreneurship and investment for communities across the country.
But what sets apart Guyana’s ambition is that it is not only about the numbers of visitors. “Our vision is not simply to get more visitors,” Minister Rodrigues told Brussels.
She spoke of building a tourism industry that is ‘sustainable, inclusive and competitive’ and that supports local businesses and empowers Indigenous communities.
This is huge. The benefits of tourism too often fall into the hands of a few, while the communities whose landscapes, traditions and hospitality that attract the visitors get little return.
Guyana has the chance to do things differently. It is not just hotels and restaurants that create the visitor experience; it is farmers, fisherfolk, artisans, transport providers, tour operators, cultural practitioners and small-business owners. It must be a common national undertaking in which all Guyanese can participate and benefit from.
The country’s natural and cultural wealth is a powerful base. Pristine rainforests, remarkable biodiversity, spectacular waterfalls, unique wildlife, rich Indigenous heritage, vibrant cultural traditions and world-class adventure opportunities all join to provide something distinctive and increasingly sought-after.
Today’s travellers want authenticity, meaningful contact with nature, cultural immersion and responsible travel. Guyana’s commitment to conservation, sustainable development and community-based tourism puts it in a good position to meet them.
The award now serves as a platform to boost the country’s international profile, enhance the destination brand, attract new investment and deepen partnerships with industry stakeholders. It also gives the impetus for the target to welcome over one million visitors a year by 2030.
The target will be a test for the country’s rapid growth can strain infrastructure, dilute quality and erode the very things that attract visitors in the first place.
The challenge is to make sure that expansion is matched by quality, sustainability and inclusivity and that the product delivers lasting value to both visitors and citizens.
Credit is due to all who had a hand in it: the government, the Guyana Tourism Authority, the private-sector partners, operators, investors and the communities receiving visitors. The credit is theirs as much as any minister’s or any ministry’s.
Guyana has travelled a long way. The award celebrates that journey, and is a reminder of how far the country still has to go.
The world is watching. Guyana is no longer just emerging, it is establishing itself as one of the most exciting places to be discovered in the world. Now the task is to live up to the name.