Guyana recorded 360,623 visitor arrivals during the first nine months of 2026, reflecting continued growth in the country’s tourism industry as the sector expands its international reach and attracts new investment.
The figures were announced by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues on Wednesday during the opening of the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026 at the Atlantic Suites by Hyatt in Kingston, Georgetown.
The latest performance follows a record-breaking 2025, when Guyana welcomed 453,489 visitors, representing a 22 per cent increase compared with 2024.
Minister Rodrigues said the sustained growth is being supported by deliberate investments in infrastructure, air connectivity, accommodation and other systems required to support a growing tourism economy.
“Tourism is increasingly important” to Guyana’s economic transformation, Rodrigues said, while emphasising that the government’s approach is focused not only on increasing visitor arrivals but also on ensuring that tourism creates economic opportunities for Guyanese across different sectors.
Greater international connectivity
The minister highlighted the expansion of Guyana’s international air connectivity as one of the key developments supporting tourism growth.
Since 2020, 12 new airlines have entered the Guyanese market, strengthening connections between Guyana and destinations across North America, Europe, the Caribbean and South America.
The expansion has increased access to the country while providing visitors with more options to travel to Guyana for leisure, business and other purposes.
International hotel brands expand presence
Guyana has also seen increased investment in its accommodation sector, with nine internationally branded hotels entering the market.
Rodrigues said the growth in internationally recognised hotel brands is expanding the country’s accommodation capacity while also demonstrating increased investor confidence in Guyana as a tourism destination.
The expansion is taking place alongside the development of Guyana as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).
More than 18 conferences and major business events were hosted in Guyana during 2026, further strengthening the country’s position as a destination for international business and professional gatherings.
Tourism opportunities beyond hotels
Rodrigues stressed that the benefits of tourism must extend beyond hotels, airlines and traditional tour operators.
She pointed to opportunities for farmers, fishermen, drivers, tour guides, artisans, entertainers, entrepreneurs and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to participate in the growing tourism economy.
The minister said this broader approach is important to ensuring that increased visitor spending generates economic activity across communities and different segments of the Guyanese population.
Guyana hosts SOTIC for the first time
Guyana’s tourism growth is being showcased as the country hosts SOTIC 2026 for the first time.
The conference brings together tourism ministers, industry leaders, private-sector representatives and other stakeholders from across the Caribbean to examine the future direction of the region’s tourism industry.
This year’s conference is being held under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.”
Rodrigues said hosting the conference provides Guyana with an opportunity to contribute to regional discussions on tourism while strengthening partnerships with other Caribbean destinations.
With visitor arrivals continuing to rise, expanding air connectivity, new hotel investments and a growing calendar of international events, the government is positioning tourism as an increasingly important component of Guyana’s wider economic transformation.