Guyana sees 450% surge in passenger traffic as tourism investments pay off

Investments in Guyana’s tourism sector over the past five years have driven a dramatic rise in passenger movement, with traffic increasing by 450 percent over the period, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

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Speaking Saturday evening at the opening of the AC Marriott Hotel at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, Ali said passenger traffic across all ports of entry surpassed 1.2 million in 2025, underscoring what he described as the tangible results of sustained investment in airlift, infrastructure, and tourism development.

The president noted that international landings increased by 254 percent over the last four years, while the number of available aircraft seats grew by 400.5 percent. He added that the number of international carriers serving Guyana expanded by 220 percent, and destinations served from local airports rose by 184 percent.

“Those are some numbers that speak for themselves,” Ali said. “You live in a constantly changing world, and our public policy approach, our development approach, and our business approach must take into consideration the changes that are occurring in our world and our region.”

Figures from the Ministry of Public Works support that growth trend, showing that international passenger movements at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and Eugene F. Correia International Airport (EFCIA) climbed from 205,297 in 2020 to 938,715 in 2024.

Ali also pointed to plans to expand the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, located a short distance from the newly opened AC Marriott Hotel. He said recent international flights have already begun landing at the airport, with more expected in the future.

“The hotel exists because investors saw what Ogle is today and what it will become tomorrow,” he said. “They did not wait for expansion; they anticipated it. They did not hesitate, and belief is the most powerful economic force of all.”

The president said he plans to meet with hotel operators, resorts, and other tourism stakeholders before the end of January to develop a joint strategy aimed at attracting visitors from non-traditional source markets, beyond the nationalities that typically travel to Guyana.

Emphasizing collaboration between the public and private sectors, Ali said the government remains ready to work closely with investors to further grow the industry.

Tourism Minister Susan Rodrigues said the rise in visitor arrivals reflects growing international confidence in Guyana as a destination and is a milestone worth celebrating. However, she stressed that the country’s ambitions extend further.

“By 2030, we are aiming to welcome one million visitors annually,” Rodrigues said.

She noted that achieving that goal will require continued investment in accommodations, airlift, infrastructure, and supporting service industries, as Guyana positions itself for sustained tourism growth in the years ahead.