— Minister Rodrigues highlights hotel, airlift expansion ahead of SOTIC 2026

TOURISM has been identified as one of the main pillars of Guyana’s economic-diversification efforts, as the country continues to expand its accommodation, airlift and community-based tourism offerings.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, highlighted the sector’s growing importance during recent discussions with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), pointing to the rapid expansion taking place across the industry.
Rodrigues said Guyana has seen significant growth in air connectivity, alongside the commissioning of nine new international hotels.
“We’ve commissioned nine new international hotels in that time as well. So, we have all of the international brands. We have the Marriott, Sheraton, Best Western, just to name a few,” Rodrigues said.
The minister also highlighted ongoing upgrades at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), including the construction of a new arrival terminal.
“We’re building a new arrival terminal there. That will be quite an experience. We want when people come to Guyana, from the time they touch down at our airport, that they can start to feel and smell and hear Guyana,” she said.
COMMUNITY TOURISM
Rodrigues said the government continues to invest in community-based tourism to ensure that visitors have authentic experiences, while communities benefit directly from tourism spending.
“The tourism product is owned and led by those villages. So, when you go there and you experience their culture, tradition, and their tourism product, you are contributing directly to the sustainability of those communities,” she said.
“It’s not a big entrepreneur that you’re contributing to, you are directly making an injection in their long-term sustainability.”
The minister also expressed Guyana’s excitement about hosting the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026, which is expected to bring regional and international tourism leaders to the country.
“I hope that we have a huge turnout by the ministers and the commissioners and directors. We look forward to welcoming all of the regional and international industry leaders, and we plan to ensure that everybody who comes for SOTIC understands what Guyana has to offer,” Rodrigues said.
She noted that visitors will be exposed to Guyana’s culture and tourism products during the five-day conference.
“There’ll be a rich display of our culture, a heavy presence from our tour operators and all of the leaders in the tourism and hospitality sector of Guyana, and we want to tell our story,” she said.
Rodrigues also encouraged delegates to extend their stay before or after the conference to experience more of the country.
“We hope that people extend their itineraries, maybe before or after the conference, because there’s so much to see and experience in Guyana,” she said.
SOTIC 2026 will bring together tourism policymakers, industry professionals and other stakeholders for discussions on the issues and opportunities shaping the future of the Caribbean’s tourism industry.
The programme will feature the official State of the Tourism Industry presentation, along with sessions focusing on data and innovation, investment opportunities and cruise tourism.