Guyana’s tourism and hospitality sector reached another milestone on Saturday with the official commissioning of the US$18 million Plaza Court Hotel on Main Street, Georgetown, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a leading destination in the Caribbean and in South America.
Delivering the feature address at the ceremony, President Dr Irfaan Ali said that the rapid growth in hotel accommodation, supported by major investments in national infrastructure, shows that Guyana is no longer on the margins of the tourism industry. Instead, the country is positioning itself as an active and competitive participant in the regional market.
The President noted that for decades Guyana had been spoken of as a nation with immense tourism potential, particularly in ecotourism, adventure travel and cultural experiences. Today, he said that potential is being realised through deliberate planning and execution. According to Ali, tourism development does not occur through promotion alone but through efficient airports, improved roads and bridges, safe communities, and hotels that meet international standards. Significant public investment over the last five years, he explained, has laid the foundation for a sustainable and credible tourism product.
President Dr Ali also revealed that Guyana is now attracting serious interest from international organisations and event planners. Several conferences and large-scale gatherings are scheduled for this year, a shift he attributed to the country’s expanded room capacity, improved security environment and growing reputation as a reliable host destination. He indicated that this momentum would require even faster development in the coming years to meet rising demand.
A key message from the Head of State was the importance of cooperation within the hospitality sector. While competition remains healthy, he stressed that hotels must work together to promote a single destination identity. Visitors, he said, experience Guyana as a whole, not individual properties in isolation. Maintaining consistent safety standards, service quality, and overall guest experience is fundamental to safeguarding and enhancing the nation’s tourism brand.
The newly opened Plaza Court Hotel reflects this evolving landscape. The 60-room, international-standard property offers a presidential suite, a rooftop bar overlooking the Demerara River, a restaurant, meeting and private dining facilities, a gym, and lounge spaces. Its location on Main Street, close to diplomatic missions and key government offices, makes it well-suited to business travellers, international delegations, and high-profile visitors.
Chairman Ravin Prashad said the investment was driven by confidence in Guyana’s economic direction and apparent demand for quality accommodation during major regional and international events. He recalled that in earlier years, the country struggled to provide enough rooms for large gatherings. Today, he said, locally owned hotels are playing a central role in reshaping the hospitality landscape and ensuring that tourism growth benefits Guyanese investors and workers.
Director Navin Prashad explained that the hotel was designed and built to meet global standards while remaining independent and locally managed. He added that the project builds on the family’s long-standing hospitality experience and reflects a commitment to national development. He said the hotel is intended to serve both premium guests and the wider diaspora while maintaining high service standards.
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues described the opening as significant for both tourism and the broader economy. She cited a 22 per cent increase in visitor arrivals in 2025 as evidence of strong market performance and rising international confidence in Destination Guyana. According to the minister, new hotels such as Plaza Court ease pressure on existing facilities, support major events and improve the overall quality of accommodation in the capital.
Over the past five years, Guyana has added more than 1,000 hotel rooms through nine significant developments, with several additional international brands expected to deliver more than 1,300 new rooms in the coming years. Alongside investments in infrastructure and workforce training, these developments are expected to support the next phase of tourism growth, including expanded eco-tourism and nature-based experiences.
As Plaza Court Hotel begins operations, the project stands as a visible sign of Guyana’s evolving tourism narrative—one defined by confidence, collaboration, and a clear commitment to long-term, sustainable growth.