This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.

Overview

Guyana offers a distinct experience for the tourism market, thanks to vast open spaces, savannahs, virgin rainforests, mountains, and huge rivers and waterfalls, the most famous of which is the majestic Kaieteur Falls, known to be the highest single-drop waterfall in the world and five times taller than Niagara Falls.  Guyana also boasts abundant wildlife, numerous species of flora, a variety of fauna, and spectacular birdlife.  These sites are accessible by land, air, and river, and are served by eco-resorts in the interior.  The capital, Georgetown, is well known for its picturesque, tree-lined avenues, bustling markets, and wooden buildings, including the renowned St. George’s Cathedral, reportedly the world’s tallest wooden building.

Guyana’s rainforest is home to one of the world’s most pristine habitats.  The interior of Guyana (approximately 169,000 square kilometers) remains minimally disturbed by human activity.  As one of four intact rainforests left in the world, Guyana is host to more than 800 species of birds from 72 different families, hundreds of species of mammals, and thousands of species of insects.  These include the largest bird of prey (harpy eagle), largest otter (giant river otter), largest anteater (giant anteater), and largest freshwater scaled fish (arapaima) in the world, as well as the largest species of cat native to the Western Hemisphere (jaguar).  Despite the natural riches the country has to offer, ecotourism does not exist in Guyana on a significant scale.  The tourism industry has been severely limited by a lack of infrastructure, formal hospitality training, and a lack of global awareness of the country’s unique attractions. 

Leading Sub-Sectors

Birding, tourism, hiking.

Opportunities

There is a need for investments in the infrastructure, facilities, and services to support market segments, such as bird watching, yachting, and deep-sea or river fishing.

Accommodations

There are ongoing opportunities for investments in luxury hotels and facilities to meet the demands of international tourists to Guyana. 

All-inclusive resorts could be developed on several of the many islands in the Essequibo River. 
Bed & breakfast hotel accommodations could be developed along the Linden Highway route.
Timeshare properties could be set up to cater to persons who wish to share the same space at different times.
Transportation

Air: Guyana is advantageously situated on the South American continent and could be easily transformed into a regional hub of travel. 

Water: Boat charter services are an efficient means of commuting from region to region.  Motorboats are needed to conduct tours on the Essequibo River and other parts of Guyana. 

Road: Urban, suburban, and long distance transportation providers are welcomed investments into Guyana’s public transport service. 

Recreational Products
Amusement and theme parks are nearly absent in the Guyanese market.  These are opportunities for investors.  With the Cheddi Jagan International Airport undergoing major expansion, opportunities exist for investment in duty free shops and other amenities, such as bars and restaurants.  Guyana has huge potential for mountaineering, trekking, hang gliding, paragliding, bungee jumping, and river rafting. 

Agri-Tourism
Tour boats for coconut plantation tours.
Equipment for coconut processing – coconut flour, coconut milk, shredding.
Packaging materials and equipment for marketing finished products.

Web Resources

Ministry of Business 
Guyana Tourism Authority website

 

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