President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Saturday made a direct appeal to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sandals Resorts International, Adam Stewart, to establish his brand in Guyana, describing it as one of the strongest tourism investment opportunities in the region.
Sandals operates several all-inclusive beachfront resorts across eight Caribbean destinations, making it one of the region’s leading tourism brands.
Speaking in the CEO’s presence at the launch of CAM Motors and the official introduction of FOTON and JETOUR vehicles at Railway Courtyard, Lamaha Street in Georgetown, President Ali said Guyana’s growing tourism sector, strong local investment climate and unmatched natural assets create ideal conditions for a world-class eco-resort.
The president argued that the absence of a Sandals resort here represents a missed opportunity for the internationally recognised hospitality brand, emphasising that Guyana has the potential to build a tourism product unlike any other Caribbean destination.
He said, “You will be doing your brand a great disservice if you don’t have the bold capacity that I know your brand carries…make the best possible investment decision…That decision is to work with our private sector as partners in creating Sandals’ number one eco-destination, all-inclusive resort here in Guyana.”
The head of state pointed to growing confidence among local investors, noting that Guyana’s tourism expansion is already being driven significantly by domestic capital.
President Ali told the gathering that Guyana’s competitive advantage lies in its combination of biodiversity, cultural richness and authentic tourism experiences.
“I can assure you that none will come close to you, none will match you, because none can match the beauty of this country, none can match the natural heritage of this country, and none can match the cultural significance, cultural intensity, the diverseness of our culture and the richness of our culture,” according to the president.
He said these characteristics position Guyana to lead in eco-tourism and sustainable destination development.
To signal local readiness for partnership, President Ali also challenged Guyana’s private sector to mobilise investment support.
He said Guyana’s economic future must extend beyond oil and gas and include stronger investments in tourism, value creation and long-term private sector expansion.