– Tourism Minister says global brands drive confidence in Guyana’s investment climate
GUYANA’S expanding portfolio of international restaurant brands reflects growing investor confidence in the country’s economic prospects and tourism potential, with the latest addition being the global dining brand Texas de Brazil.
The restaurant officially opened its doors on Thursday at the MovieTowne Mall on the East Coast of Demerara, an occasion which Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, said sends a strong signal to the international community that Guyana is “ready, capable and open for business.”
Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Minister Rodrigues underscored that the entry of internationally-recognised brands is not accidental, but a direct result of improved market stability, rising consumer demand and deliberate government investment in the tourism and hospitality ecosystem.
She noted that the restaurant industry plays a pivotal role in linking tourism directly to the everyday economy, creating jobs and stimulating value chains across multiple sectors.
“The restaurant industry is one of the most direct bridges between tourism and the everyday economy. It creates jobs for chefs, servers, managers, suppliers, farmers and transport providers,” the Minister said.
“It supports local producers, from fresh vegetables and meats to beverages and value-added foods, and it transforms our visitors into ambassadors who carry stories of Guyana’s culinary experience back to their home countries.”
Minister Rodrigues emphasised that while Guyana’s natural assets, its rainforests, rivers, wildlife and cultural heritage, continue to draw visitors, it is the quality of experiences that ultimately shapes the country’s reputation.
“Tourism is ultimately about experiences. Visitors may come for our landscapes and biodiversity, but they remember us through the way we make them feel,” she said.
Against this backdrop, the Minister highlighted the rapid evolution of Guyana’s hospitality sector, noting that the country’s dining scene has become increasingly diverse, professional and internationally competitive in recent years.
She pointed to deliberate efforts by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (MINTIC) to strengthen service quality nationwide. Over the past five years, more than 8,000 Guyanese, ranging from restaurateurs and caterers to tour operators and hospitality workers, have benefitted from targeted training programmes in customer service, food safety, hospitality standards and tourism readiness.
These programmes, she said, are about more than delivering certificates, they are about building confidence in our workplaces, raising national standards, and ensuring that whether a visitor walks into a small roadside café, or a world-class international restaurant, they receive the same level of warmth, professionalism, and pride that defines Guyana.
Looking ahead, she announced that Guyana is set to take a major step forward with the completion of a world-class Tourism and Hospitality Institute in Port Mourant, Region Six, later this year. The facility, she said, represents a national investment in Guyanese people and the country’s long-term development.
The institute will offer structured, internationally aligned training in culinary arts, hotel operations, tourism management and service excellence, while creating clear career pathways for young Guyanese and strengthening the private sector.
“When an international brand chooses Guyana, it is making a statement,” Minister Rodrigues affirmed. “It is saying that our market is stable, our economy is growing and our country has the potential to sustain world-class investments.”
She added that the opening of Texas de Brazil reinforces a strong partnership between the Government of Guyana and the private sector—one focused on converting potential into tangible opportunities, jobs and sustained economic growth.
In recent years, Guyana has welcomed several major international food and beverage brands. Wendy’s opened its first local outlet in October 2025 on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, with plans for three locations nationwide.
P.F. Chang’s entered the market in 2024, while Burger King has been operating locally since around 2017 through Restaurant Brands Holdings. Global coffee chain Starbucks has also established a presence, further positioning Guyana as an emerging hub for international lifestyle and hospitality brands.
