Guyana’s Travel Boom Is Breaking Records — and It’s Just Getting Started
Tourists enjoying a natural walk at Kaieteur Falls National Park
From rainforest hikes to rooftop cocktails, Guyana’s gone global, and the tourism numbers prove it.
Once brushed aside as a flyover country for oil execs and adventurers, Guyana is now one of the hottest new destinations in the Western Hemisphere, with tourism arrivals shattering records and luxury brands racing to build.
In 2024, the country pulled in a jaw-dropping 371,272 visitors, nearly four times the number from just five years ago. And it’s not slowing down. Industry insiders say 2025 could cross 420,000 arrivals, as travelers look beyond the beaten path and into one of South America’s best-kept secrets.
Nine new international airlines have landed deals to fly to Guyana since 2020, bringing the world closer to its waterfalls, wildlife, and warm hospitality. And hotels? They’re rising faster than downtown traffic, with over 600 new rooms under construction from big names like Marriott, Hyatt, and Four Points.
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips delivering keynote at THAG 2025 Awards
At Saturday night’s glitzy THAG 2025 Awards at the Marriott Hotel, the message was loud and clear, Tourism isn’t a side hustle anymore, it’s a cornerstone of the Guyanese economy.
And it’s not just luxury stays and pretty beaches. The country is diversifying its offerings, with agro-tourism, medical getaways, and wellness retreats joining the spotlight. Cricket Carnival and the Global Super League are also bringing in the crowds, turning Guyana into a sports-entertainment hub overnight.
More than 8,000 locals have already been trained and certified in tourism and hospitality, fueling a booming industry that now supports an estimated 22,000 jobs. And with a brand-new Hospitality Training Institute opening in 2026, the future workforce is already in the making.
Since 2020, over 65 new tours have launched across the country, from river escapades to eco-lodge stays deep in Indigenous territory. Five of those eco-lodges are now internationally certified for sustainable tourism, making Guyana one of the region’s most environmentally responsible destinations.
The bottom line? This once-quiet gem is roaring onto the world stage, with its culture, nature, and people leading the charge.