Guyana is on track to break another annual record, with visitor arrivals projected to reach 350,000 by the end of 2024. This would represent a 10% increase from the 319,056 visitors recorded in 2023.
The government’s 2024 Mid-Year report said 170,744 visitors arrived in Guyana in the first half, surpassing the 149,020 arrivals recorded during the same period in 2023. This 14.6% year-over-year increase has already set a new half-year record for visitor arrivals, fueled by tourists from the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Latin America, and other markets.
The surge is attributed in part to Guyana hosting several major international and regional conferences and expos, as well as events like Cricket Carnival. It is also attributed to enhanced connectivity. The first half of the year saw an expansion in airlift capacity with the introduction of Sky High Dominicana’s thrice-weekly flights between Guyana and the Dominican Republic in February. Additionally, United Airlines began its four-time weekly operations from Houston to Georgetown in April, and American Airlines added an additional Miami to Georgetown route. These developments have increased the available seats from 112,500 in December 2023 to 129,175 in June 2024, the government said.
The expected increase in tourist arrivals has also spurred significant progress in hotel room expansion. The Aiden Best Western in Georgetown is set to open by the end of the third quarter of 2024, while the AC Marriott and Marriott Courtyard at Timehri are expected to add 452 rooms by year-end. Furthermore, the report said the Four Points Sheraton and Hyatt Hotel at Providence are scheduled for completion by the first quarter of 2025.
Guyana is seeing a surge in investments in the hospitality sector, influenced by an incentive regime offered by the government to international hotel chains. The latest announcement is Hilton’s entry with the signing of agreements for the dual-brand Hilton Georgetown and DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Georgetown.
With these additions, the government anticipates a continued rise in visitor numbers.
The boom in the oil sector has boosted growth in many other sectors, with hospitality being among the biggest gainers.
