–Minister Rodrigues encourages Guyanese to plan for high influx given massive opportunities abound

GUYANA’S tourism performance continues to chart bold territory, and the nation is now preparing to welcome three million passengers by 2030, according to Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues.
Speaking during a live broadcast on Tuesday, the minister highlighted the high-volume of visitor arrivals: “…We are looking forward to welcoming 3 million passengers by 2030 and our economy and our people have to be ready to receive these 3 million passengers.”
She stressed that all Guyanese can “participate in the economy through tourism.”
Minister Rodrigues said, “From the moment a visitor touches down at the airport or any port of entry, jobs are created, opportunities are created in transportation, in food, in accommodation, in tour guiding, all of which are done by ordinary people, small and medium-sized businesses.”
She also pointed out that 2025 has already been a record-breaking year for tourism, with every month, indicating year-on-year increase over the corresponding period in 2024.
The minister noted that for the period January to October 2025, the total number of visitor arrivals for 2024 was surpassed. The projected figure for 2025 now stands at an impressive 20 per cent growth, the highest ever recorded in Guyana.
She further said that all Guyanese have a role to play in ensuring that the nation’s tourism sector grows and remains sustainable.
Guyana’s exceptional performance has even garnered regional recognition as the Caribbean Tourism Organization confirmed that the nation achieved the highest percentage increase in visitor arrivals in the entire region from January to July, she disclosed.
To accommodate the surge in visitors, the government is continuing to accelerate investment in tourism accommodation and infrastructure, thus, resulting in its issuance of a request for proposals for the construction of eco lodges and resorts at 10 locations across the country, with the expression of interest period closing December 31.
Parallel to infrastructure expansion, the government continues to place emphasis on developing its human resources since 2020 and as such, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has trained 8000 persons in hospitality and customer service, food preparation among other areas.
Tour operators have also benefitted from training, the minister further disclosed.
Minister Rodrigues added that accommodation capacity has expanded significantly as 600 hotel rooms have been added through six new hotels over the last five years. Also, 15 major branded hotels are currently under construction and upon completion will add 2,000 rooms to the room stock.
Tourism growth, according to the minister, has been supported by increased airlift, with nine new airlines entering the market between 2020 and 2025.
She added: “And we will continue to expand our airlifts, those airlines that are operating here, and also will continue to add new routes, opening up new markets for the Guyanese traveller looking to explore and also to attract tourists looking to come to Guyana to experience our tourism product and even for trade and investment.