Adventure Meets Conservation

Eco-tourism is rapidly emerging as a major economic driver for Guyana. New infrastructure, rising visitor numbers and indigenous-led development models are drawing global attention and reshaping the sector's future.

Guyana’s push to elevate tourism as a core pillar of its One Guyana development strategy is delivering strong results. In 2024, the country welcomed 371,272 visitors, a 16.3% increase over the previous year and a new national record. This upswing underscores Guyana’s growing appeal as a premier eco and adventure tourism destination, supported by community-driven development and strategic capacity building. Looking ahead, the government has set an ambitious goal: welcoming 3 million visitors annually by 2030, anchored in a sustainability-focused vision for inclusive and resilient sector growth.

Central to the government’s rapid development of its recreation and hospitality offerings is a hard focus on participation of its indigenous communities, spearheaded by the Community Led and Owned Tourism initiative by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA). “This initiative is unique; we are the only country in the world where this type of model is our primary tourism offering,” said Oneidge Walrond, Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. “Under its framework, indigenous leaders are included in national tourism planning to ensure inclusive, respectful growth that preserves their environment and culture. Key initiatives include community-led eco-lodges, guided tours, cultural experiences and conservation projects funded through carbon credit revenues.”

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  A key lynchpin in the program is the rehabilitation and expansion of eco-lodges across Guyana. The Surama eco-lodge, the oldest and most established in the hinterland, continues to serve as a flagship project. In contrast, the newly launched Great Diamond eco-lodge – Guyana’s largest by unit count – introduces an urban blueprint for eco-tourism. Other standout developments, including the Rewa, Santa Mission, Yupukari, Moraikobai, and Warapoka developments, have been instrumental in scaling the Community Led and Owned Tourism model nationwide. In May 2025, the government launched the Guyana Ecolodge Guidelines Manual, a comprehensive guide outlining best practices for planning, designing and constructing authentic eco-lodges in line with the country’s unique environmental landscape and long-term tourism objectives.
  
  Looking outward, the government is actively targeting key international markets – particularly North America and Europe – through a suite of high-impact marketing initiatives. Central to this effort is the Discover Guyana campaign, which aims to position Guyana as the world’s leading destination for trekking, boating, sport fishing, birdwatching, and jungle survival training through a multifaceted campaign, including the appointment of lead cricket player Gudakesh Motie as the official Tourism Brand Ambassador.
  
  In January 2024, the Guyana Tourism Authority appointed Emerging Destinations and CornerSun Destination Marketing to spearhead promotional efforts in the North American market. This partnership leverages the country’s appeal as an experiential tourism hotspot, its geographic proximity and its advantage as the only English-speaking destination in South America. The partnership supported Guyana’s presence at major North American travel trade shows and consumer events in 2024 and 2025, further raising the country’s profile among travel professionals and potential visitors.

  

  Guyana is also leading the charge on a unique multi-destination tourism platform designed to attract global travelers by combining the distinct strengths of neighboring countries. In early 2025, Guyana and the Dominican Republic formalized an agreement to jointly market themselves as a single destination, blending the Dominican Republic’s world-class beaches and resorts with Guyana’s rising eco and adventure tourism appeal. “These initiatives work well for all countries, as Guyana's tourism offerings are distinctly different from those provided in the Caribbean. Together, we create an appealing value proposition for prospective travelers,” said Walrond. The Guyana Tourism Authority is also collaborating with top Caribbean destinations, including Saint Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Dominican Republic and Antigua and Barbuda, to promote the region to North American and European travellers.
  
  Another top priority for the government is talent development to support the growing demands of a modernized, high-performing tourism sector. While the Guyana Tourism Authority trained over 2,000 individuals in 2024 alone, current capacity-building efforts still fall short of projected needs. To bridge this gap, the government is constructing the flagship $7.2-million Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute in Port Mourant, Berbice.
  
  Backed by financing from the Caribbean Development Bank, construction began in February 2024, with large-scale training programmes set to launch by January 2026. The institute is designed to address the growing demand for skilled workers in Guyana’s expanding hospitality and tourism sector and support the government’s goal to create 50,000 tourism jobs by 2030, with a strong emphasis on accessibility for youth, women and rural and Indigenous communities to ensure inclusive sector growth.

Investment Opportunities

Betting on Green: Tourism’s Next Big Sector

Guyana’s aggressive incentive regime, paired with transport upgrades and major hotel projects, is drawing global investment into a tourism sector primed for sustainable expansion.

At the heart of Guyana’s bold tourism strategy – aimed at positioning the country as the region’s premier destination by 2030 – is a strong focus on international collaboration. To support this vision, the government is rolling out investor-friendly tax frameworks and enabling legislation designed to attract and facilitate long-term foreign partnerships in the sector. Ongoing efforts to streamline the business climate have triggered a surge in infrastructure development, positioning Guyana’s tourism sector for a new era of regional leadership and heightened investor interest, particularly from the USA, whose travellers now account for nearly half of all international arrivals.

President Irfaan Ali underscores the wealth of opportunities available to global investors within Guyana’s rapidly expanding tourism sector: “We are positioning Guyana as a premier destination for adventure tourism, including jungle hikes and river expeditions; sport tourism, with major regional and international sporting events; heritage tourism that showcases our diverse cultural legacy; family-based tourism; festival tourism; and the future home of conference tourism, with related world-class facilities on the horizon.”

Guyana’s latest tax incentive package includes tax holidays for eligible projects, duty-free concessions on imported capital goods and equipment and corporate tax exemptions or reductions for qualifying tourism ventures. In addition, special investment regimes are being introduced in designated industrial and tourism zones, offering enhanced, tax-free benefits to further attract high-impact capital. “We have developed one of the region’s most attractive incentive regimes for tourism investors. These include duty-free concessions, generous tax holidays and support for infrastructure development in key tourism zones,” said Ali. “We believe that when you invest in Guyana’s tourism, you are investing in the future of sustainable travel.”

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  To attract greater international involvement, Guyana is ramping up domestic investments to catalyse a new wave of global interest and engagement. This includes refocusing the traditional Small Business Grant – facilitated by Guyana’s Small Business Bureau – toward community-led initiatives in tourism and hospitality. The bureau operates a credit guarantee program in partnership with Republic Bank and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, offering loans of up to $140,000 to support any small business, including those in the tourism. In April, the Small Business Bureau launched the 2025 edition of its Green Tech Fund, which provides entrepreneurs with grants of up to $5,610 to support the use of technology to protect or promote the environment.
  
  Guyana’s clear and focused agenda has drawn the attention of prominent investors eager to tap into what is shaping up to be the region’s fastest-growing tourism industry. In December 2024, Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Oneidge Walrond announced that Guyana is set to add 1,000 new hotel rooms in 2025, with another 800 expected by 2026, supported by the development of seven international hotel projects. These ventures are being spearheaded by global players such as Royal International Hotels and Aiden Hotel by Best Western, the latter having launched a high-profile, nine-story property in Georgetown in October 2024.

  

  Investment in hinterland road infrastructure is a cornerstone of Guyana’s tourism agenda, aimed at seamlessly linking visitors to the country’s expanding eco-tourism circuit. The budget for hinterland roads surged from $7.01 million in 2020 to $42.1 million in 2025 – a sixfold increase – underscoring the government’s commitment to improving access and connectivity. These upgrades are complemented by the new $156-million Integrated Transport Corridors Project, approved by the World Bank in early 2025. The funding is intended to enhance Guyana’s transport network in selected regions, ensure it is better equipped to withstand natural hazards and provide safer, more reliable mobility for citizens and visitors. A key component of these efforts is the construction of 32 strategic bridges along the Kurupukari–Lethem corridor with a total investment of $19.2 million to accelerate travel and improve access to remote tourism hubs.
  
  The country is also advancing its aviation infrastructure, with a major expansion underway at Cheddi Jagan International Airport located near the capital. Central to the upgrade is the construction of a new, world-class second terminal spanning 150,000 square feet. The new $32.7-million terminal will feature modern amenities such as additional duty-free zones, retail outlets, rental offices, lounges and dedicated buildings for arrivals and departures. As of March 2025, the project had entered its final stage of contract negotiations, with major parts of the project nearing completion.
  
  Guyana is also capitalising on its robust Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 to position itself as a top-tier destination for environmentally conscious investors. In 2025, the country received the PATWA International Award for Destination of the Year – Natural Attractions, a testament to its growing reputation for eco- and sustainability-focused tourism. This recognition highlights Guyana’s commitment to global conservation, exemplified by partnerships with the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development, as well as its growing status in 2025 as a premier international destination for green investment.

Places to Visit

Wild Wonders: Where Rainforest Meets River

With rainforest treks, majestic waterfalls and visa-free access from the USA, Guyana is now more than South America’s best-kept travel secret – untamed, authentic and closer than you think.

Guyana is rapidly positioning itself as a premier destination for US travellers, blending seamless access – visa-free entry and expanded flight routes – with unmatched eco-adventure experiences. Nearly half of all international visitors hail from the USA, drawn by Guyana’s authenticity, biodiversity and strong diaspora ties. Guyana is the only country in South America whose official language is English, offering a uniquely frictionless gateway to the continent. With tourism earmarked as a key sustainable alternative to oil and mining, the country is capturing global attention as a model for green, community-driven development.

Georgetown, the nation’s lively capital, is a city of vibrant contrasts, where Victorian and Dutch colonial architecture co-exist with bustling Caribbean markets. Guarded by a historic seawall and crisscrossed by canals, its landmarks – from Stabroek Market to St. George’s Cathedral and the iconic lighthouse – offer rich historical context. Georgetown boasts over 2,000 hotel rooms, with major expansions underway, including the 172-room Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, set to open in August 2025. The city’s cosmopolitan vibe and dynamic culinary scene make it the perfect launchpad for discovering Guyana’s untouched rainforests, winding rivers and immersive eco-tourism adventures.

Topping Guyana’s list of natural marvels is Kaieteur Falls, nestled in the heart of Kaieteur National Park on the Potaro River. As the world’s largest single-drop waterfall by volume – plunging an awe-inspiring 741 feet – it rises majestically above the surrounding pristine rainforest. The site plays a key role in the government’s Community-Led and Owned Tourism programme, empowering local Indigenous groups to manage tours and benefit directly from tourism revenue. Infrastructure at the site is currently being upgraded, with enhancements to airstrips for chartered flights and improvements to visitor facilities underway.

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  Another standout experience is Pandama Retreat, an eco-lodge and artisanal winery nestled in the savannahs just outside Georgetown. With rustic cabins, glamping tents, forest trails and a tasting room featuring fruit wines made from jamun, sorrel and pineapple, Pandama is a flagship of Guyana’s Freshness is Domestic agriculture campaign. Fully solar-powered, it has recently expanded to host corporate retreats and community gatherings, solidifying its status as a premier destination for both leisure and business travellers.
  
  The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway offers yet another breathtaking experience. This 505-foot suspension bridge soars 98 feet above the forest floor, providing panoramic views of the Iwokrama Rainforest, one of the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems. Community-led tours immerse travellers in Guyana’s unique wildlife, offering chances to track the vibrant Guianan Cock-of-the-rock bird and even catch glimpses of elusive jaguars. Visitors are encouraged to stay at the nearby Atta Rainforest Lodge, launched in 2023 and operated in partnership with Indigenous communities.
  
  Tucked in the Wisroc area of Linden, the Blue Lakes are Guyana’s only naturally blue water bodies, formed nearly a century ago through bauxite mining. Their brilliant hue – created by marl and kaolinite soils – paired with white sandy bottoms and serene surroundings, has made them a favourite for swimming, hiking and events such as intimate weddings and gatherings. Plans are underway to introduce eco-lodges to the area, ensuring that future development remains community-driven and environmentally sustainable.

  

  The Essequibo River – Guyana’s largest and most historic waterway – stretches over 1,000 kilometres from the Acarai Mountains to the Atlantic. It carves through diverse ecosystems, supporting wildlife and riverine communities. Speedboat tours take travellers to Dutch forts, waterfalls and indigenous villages, with eco-lodges like Sloth Island offering immersive nature experiences. The river is renowned for birdwatching, fishing and cultural encounters.
  
  In response to growing demand, Guyana is boosting air connectivity. By 2025, JetBlue had doubled its daily service from New York to Georgetown, while Air Transat expanded direct flights from Toronto. Arrivals land at Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Timehri or Eugene F. Correia International Airport, 41 and 11 kilometres from the capital, respectively. Entry requirements have also been simplified: travellers from 125 countries – including the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and EU nations – can now enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Peak travel seasons align with the dry months, from February to April and September to November.
  
  “Guyana’s tourism potential is not just world-class, it is a world-beater,” said Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali. “Our country is blessed with some of the most breathtaking natural wonders on the planet, from the mighty Kaieteur Falls – more than four times taller than Niagara Falls – to vast, untouched rainforests, winding rivers and sprawling savannahs. Our ecosystem is so rich and varied that it rivals the best in the world. Our biodiversity is not only unique but unmatched.”