Guyana’s President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali is urging Caribbean governments, investors and tourism businesses to increase investment in the sector and adopt a coordinated regional strategy to strengthen the industry’s competitiveness.
Addressing the opening of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026 in Georgetown on October 7, Ali warned that the region could lose ground to competing destinations if it relies primarily on its natural attractions without making corresponding investments in infrastructure, transportation and visitor experiences.
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“Our natural product and our natural beauty are important assets,” Ali said, while cautioning that the region must rethink how it develops and positions those assets to maximise their long-term value.
The president identified transportation infrastructure as a major priority, arguing that improved connections between destinations are essential to expanding tourism across the Caribbean. He pointed to investments in the Gulf states, Brazil and Mexico as examples of destinations pairing tourism development with major infrastructure projects.
Highlighting Guyana’s own development programme, Ali referenced a new airport terminal, regional airports at Lethem and Berbice, a deep-water port and road links connecting communities and emerging developments. He said these investments should support the country’s ambitions while improving its appeal to international visitors.
Ali also called for disaster preparedness and business continuity measures to be incorporated into tourism investment agreements from the outset. He proposed contingency clauses that would take effect automatically following natural disasters, rather than leaving governments and businesses to negotiate arrangements after a crisis occurs.
Citing Jamaica’s recent experience with a natural disaster, he urged the CTO to lead the development of a regional mechanism to strengthen preparedness and business continuity. He also called for greater diversification of tourism markets and supply chains, including stronger links between tourism businesses, local farmers and regional suppliers.
Technology was another area identified for regional cooperation. Ali proposed a coordinated Caribbean approach to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, arguing that individual countries may lack the scale and resources to address these challenges effectively on their own.
He also encouraged Caribbean countries to pursue major international events collectively rather than competing separately for opportunities. He suggested that the region identify 10 global events it hopes to attract by 2035 and work together to develop the infrastructure needed to host them.
The call for greater cooperation was echoed by Guyana’s Tourism Minister Susan Rodrigues, who said Caribbean countries should build partnerships around their diverse tourism offerings, improve air connectivity and coordinate marketing efforts. She argued that tourism development should create opportunities for local businesses and communities, rather than focusing solely on increasing visitor arrivals.
Guyana recorded 453,489 visitor arrivals in 2025, a 22 per cent increase over 2024, according to figures cited by Rodrigues. The country has also been expanding its air connections, with 12 new airlines entering its market in recent years, helping to improve links with destinations in North America, Europe, the Caribbean and South America.
Ali’s remarks come as Caribbean tourism stakeholders gather in Guyana for SOTIC 2026, held under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.” The conference brings together regional tourism officials, industry representatives and international partners to discuss investment, sustainability, connectivity and the future direction of the sector.
The president maintained that the Caribbean’s natural attractions remain valuable assets but must be supported by stronger infrastructure, investment, partnerships and long-term planning if the region is to remain competitive in the global tourism market.
