GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Confronted with mounting complaints about high hotel rates, the Government of Guyana is considering a price cap of US$200 per night for citizens and diaspora members, newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues announced on Monday.
Rodrigues, speaking at an engagement with hoteliers, tour operators, and industry leaders at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, said affordability, collaboration, and consistency would be central to her vision for tourism growth.
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“This is about ensuring access and affordability for Guyanese first,” she said, explaining that the proposed cap would apply when bookings are made through official tourism packages. Participation by hotels would be voluntary, but those opting in would gain promotional benefits through government marketing.
Partnerships and Cultural Access
The minister emphasized that tourism’s success depends on industry-wide collaboration. “It takes all of us — government, hoteliers, tour operators, airlines, entertainers — to make this sector successful,” she said.
Rodrigues outlined plans to establish permanent tourism desks at ports of entry and in hotel lobbies, ensuring visitors are connected with cultural, entertainment, and nature-based experiences from the moment they arrive. Hotels, she stressed, should serve not only as accommodations but as gateways to Destination Guyana.
Building a Year-Round Tourism Calendar
To drive growth, Rodrigues announced that by 2026 Guyana will launch a predictable calendar of events, with major activities each quarter. These will be packaged into seven- and ten-day tourism experiences, marketed abroad and supported by embassies and airlines to target the diaspora. Celebrations such as Diwali, Christmas, and Independence will feature prominently.
Growth and Capacity
Tourism arrivals are already up 18% compared to last year, and Rodrigues projected that Guyana could realistically welcome one million visitors within five years. With more than 15 new hotels under construction, the country’s room stock is set to expand from 4,200 to 6,400. Still, she warned, growth must be matched by improved service standards.
“Our hospitality is a product,” Rodrigues said. “We must package it, promote it, and continually improve it.”
A Culture of Service and Predictability
Rodrigues called for stronger data-sharing on occupancy, employment, and investment to support policymaking and stressed that predictability will be a hallmark of her approach. “Boring as it may sound, consistency is what every business needs to be successful,” she told stakeholders, pledging transparent event planning and an open-door policy for industry input.
She also urged stakeholders to embrace their role as ambassadors, helping to shift perceptions and instill pride in Guyana’s culture and attractions.
“This is not a wish list,” Rodrigues declared. “I intend to achieve everything outlined here — and we can only do it together.”
