– tourism leaders to explore local nature, culture and community-based experiences

GUYANA will host an international summit on sustainable tourism from March 7–10, 2027, bringing influential North American tour operators and global tourism stakeholders to the country to examine responsible tourism development and explore opportunities for partnerships with local businesses.
The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, announced that Guyana has been selected to host the 2027 Sustainability is Responsibility (SIR) Summit of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), following a competitive international bidding process.
The event is expected to strengthen Guyana’s visibility in the North American travel market, showcase its natural and cultural attractions, and create opportunities for local tourism enterprises to establish relationships with international travel companies.
The selection also places Guyana among a group of international destinations that have previously hosted the summit, including Norway, Singapore, Valencia in Spain and Anchorage, Alaska.
Tourism Minister Susan Rodrigues said hosting the event would allow Guyana to demonstrate how its natural environment, cultural diversity and community heritage could be translated into tourism experiences, business opportunities and sustainable livelihoods.
“Hosting the 2027 USTOA Sustainability is Responsibility Summit gives us the opportunity to show international tour operators how these assets translate into tourism experiences, business opportunities and livelihoods for Guyanese,” Rodrigues said.
She noted that the summit would help strengthen Guyana’s presence in the North American travel market and establish direct relationships with companies capable of bringing more visitors to the country.
The minister added that the government remained focused on ensuring tourism generates lasting economic benefits while protecting the natural and cultural heritage that distinguishes Guyana as a destination.
According to the GTA, the summit will combine discussions and educational sessions with practical experiences intended to demonstrate the relationship between tourism development, environmental conservation and community participation.
The programme will begin in Georgetown before moving to Baganara Island Resort on the Essequibo River, where participants will take part in collaborative discussions and activities centred on sustainable tourism.
Delegates are also expected to visit Kaieteur Falls, one of Guyana’s most prominent natural attractions, to experience the country’s biodiversity and protected landscapes.
Additional optional programmes before and after the summit are being developed to encourage participants to explore other destinations, including Guyana’s interior regions and community-based tourism operations.
GTA Director Kamrul Baksh described the selection as an important milestone for the country’s tourism industry and an endorsement of its approach to sustainable development.
He said the gathering would provide an opportunity to demonstrate Guyana’s commitment to protecting its environment, celebrating its cultural heritage and creating meaningful economic opportunities for communities.
Baksh added that the event could help establish partnerships to support the continued expansion of the tourism sector while ensuring that its benefits reach Guyanese communities.
USTOA represents leading tour operators and travel industry partners, particularly those serving the North American market. Its SIR initiative promotes responsible tourism through education, collaboration, shared learning and practical industry action.
The participation of representatives from these companies is expected to give local accommodation providers, tour operators, transportation businesses, tour guides and community-based tourism enterprises opportunities to showcase their services and explore potential commercial relationships.
Guyana’s tourism industry has increasingly focused on its rainforests, wildlife, rivers, waterfalls, cultural diversity and community-led experiences as the country seeks to broaden its economic base and attract more international visitors.
The summit will provide an opportunity for tourism decision-makers to assess these offerings firsthand while exchanging ideas on how destinations can expand tourism without compromising environmental protection or cultural preservation.
The event will be organised through a partnership between USTOA and the GTA, with support from local tourism stakeholders and industry partners.
Further details on the programme and associated tourism experiences are expected to be announced in the coming months.
More information is available at https://ustoa.com/events/sir-guyana-2027/.