Guyana and Jamaica have formalised a new partnership aimed at strengthening tourism cooperation, encouraging investment and expanding collaboration across the Caribbean hospitality industry.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, and Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, during the 2026 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) at the Atlantic Suites by Hyatt.
The signing ceremony was attended by Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Jennifer Griffith, Guyana Tourism Authority Director Kamrul Baksh and Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer Dona Regis-Prosper.
The agreement provides a framework for both countries to exchange expertise, strengthen relationships among tourism industry stakeholders and encourage greater travel between the two destinations.
Key areas of cooperation include tourism investment, air connectivity, education and professional training, sustainable tourism development, and strategies to improve the sector’s resilience.
Rodrigues welcomed the agreement, describing it as an opportunity to build closer relationships between the countries, share industry knowledge and develop initiatives that benefit their citizens and the wider Caribbean.
“This partnership allows us to learn from each other’s experiences, build stronger connections between our tourism stakeholders and create opportunities that benefit our people and the wider Caribbean,” she said.
Bartlett highlighted the potential of the partnership to strengthen Caribbean tourism integration, particularly through multi-destination travel that encourages visitors to experience more than one country during their regional holidays.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that tourism generates greater economic benefits for local communities rather than focusing solely on visitor arrival figures.
“Guyana is adding much more to the Caribbean tourism experience, with its forests, hidden valleys and rich natural heritage. We want to build the capacity of our people to respond to the demands of prosperity and ensure that we retain greater value from tourism for our people,” Bartlett stated.
Guyana’s expanding tourism industry presents opportunities for closer collaboration with established regional destinations such as Jamaica. The agreement is expected to facilitate knowledge-sharing, strengthen business partnerships and support the development of tourism products that showcase the Caribbean’s diverse attractions.
The partnership also reflects a shared interest in developing a more sustainable and inclusive tourism industry, with greater opportunities for businesses, workers and communities to benefit from the sector’s growth.
Signed during SOTIC 2026, the MOU marks another step towards strengthening regional cooperation and advancing a more connected, competitive and resilient Caribbean tourism industry.