Tourism in Guyana

Tourism in Guyana is a fledgling industry compared to other countries in the Caribbean. Tourism is mainly focused on ecotourism, and accommodations for business travelers.[1] Guyana is home to Kaieteur Falls and St. George's Cathedral.

In 2020,18 businesses and 12 tour guides were licensed with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).[2]

International tourism

Mark Ellwood, contributing editor for Conde Nast Traveler, has suggested thinking of Guyana "as a bonus Caribbean country" in terms of its cultural history even though it's physically part of South America.[3]

Natural heritage

The primary draw for tourists from abroad is Guyana's Amazon Rainforest, considered one of the most pristine, untouched forests in the world.[4] Core markets are visitors from North America and the UK (also home to a large Guyanese diaspora) and some interest from markets like Germany and the Netherlands.[5] Guyana is South America's only English-speaking country. The GTA benchmarks its practices against the Green Destinations Standard, a Global Sustainable Tourism Council-recognized set of objective criteria for "measuring, monitoring and improving the sustainability policy in light of the growing interest in sustainable tourism".[6] Sustainable tourism is a key factor in hinterland development, offering economic diversity to the area, through Amerindian villages, such as lodges at Rewa and Surama,[7] and the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development. Tourism is seen as a way to provide employment in these remote communities, combatting the high migration rate out of these villages.[8]

Eco-tourism activities include birdwatching[9][10] and catch and release fishing.[11]

Sector growth

The oil industry, and its potential wealth boom, has encouraged development in the tourism industry, such as the building of a second Marriott Hotel slated for completion in 2023.[12] COVID-19 severely damaged the economies of the tourism-dependent Caribbean countries, but Guyana, like Trinidad and Tobago, continues to grow due to oil production.[13]

In 2018, tourism made up 0.58 percent of Guyana's GDP (world average: 7.87).[14]

Number of arrivals[15]
1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
92,000 66,000 105,000 104,000 122,000 113,000 130,000 152,000 177,000 206,000 235,000 287,000

Challenges

Infrastructure woes and perception of Guyana as a dangerous location damage tourism to and within the country. Recent focus has on improving safety standards, the visitor experience and enabling all tourism businesses to become licensed.[6]

Domestic tourism

Because of the diversity of Guyana, cultural events are an important source of tourism in the country.[16] Guyana Restaurant Week started in 2014 to attract new customers with reasonably-priced set menus.[17]

Organizations
  • Guyana Tourism Authority
  • National Trust
  • Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana[18]
  • The Carnegie School of Home Economics - Trade school with hospitality training[19]

See also

References
  1. "Stays by oil workers provide lifeline to struggling hotels". Stabroek News. 2020-04-25. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  2. "Marketing local tourism businesses major focus for 2021". News Room Guyana. 2020-12-31. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  3. "Top travel destinations for 2020: Santa Fe, Nashville, more". TODAY.com. 2020-01-03. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  4. "Guyana - The World Factbook". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  5. Editors, C. N. T. "20 Best Places to Go in 2020". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved 2021-01-17.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  6. "Guyana claims 'Best of Ecotourism' top spot at world's leading travel, trade show in Berlin". Stabroek News. 2019-03-08. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  7. "'We want to keep our forest': why Guyana's wilderness needs visitors". the Guardian. 2019-10-27. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  8. "Reflections on the North Rupununi Cluster". Stabroek News. 2015-09-11. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  9. "Guyana on par with world class bird watching destinations". Stabroek News. 2008-03-29. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  10. "International tour operator 'encouraged' by local birding programme". Stabroek News. 2007-03-23. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  11. "Draft law completed for catch-and-release fishing in North Rupununi". Stabroek News. 2016-05-31. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  12. "Marriott Is Opening Another Hotel in Guyana Caribbean Journal". Caribbean Journal. 2020-02-17. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  13. October 09; Marin, 2020 Author: Denise. "Global Finance Magazine - The Old Days Aren't Coming Back". Global Finance Magazine. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  14. "Guyana International tourism revenue, percent of GDP - data, chart". TheGlobalEconomy.com. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  15. "International tourism, number of arrivals - Guyana | Data". data.worldbank.org. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  16. Chabrol, Denis (2019-12-06). "Too much rum-drinking at regional festivals -Tourism Director-General". Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  17. "18 restaurants signed on to Restaurant Week". Guyana Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  18. "Duke Lodge, Atta Rainforest Lodge, Old Fort Tours win tourism awards". Stabroek News. 2018-06-20. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  19. "Carnegie reopens Hibiscus Training Restaurant". Stabroek News. 2020-01-24. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
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