Guyana’s tourism sector posted its strongest results on record in 2025, welcoming 453,489 visitor arrivals – a 22% increase over 2024 and the highest annual total in the country’s history.
This is according to the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, which said the figures reinforce Guyana’s standing as one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the Caribbean, with growth recorded across major source markets.
The ministry reported that November 2025 recorded 34,706 arrivals, up 8 per cent compared with November 2024, an increase it described as notable because the month is traditionally a tourism “shoulder” period.
That performance, the ministry said, was supported by increased diaspora travel for family reunions and cultural activities, improved airlift capacity, and the adoption of digital booking systems that helped streamline travel. The United States and Caribbean remained the leading source markets, while Canada and Europe continued to trend upward.
Tourism accelerated further in December 2025, which logged 47,337 arrivals, representing a 21 per cent increase over December 2024 and the highest December total ever recorded in Guyana.
The ministry attributed the month’s record numbers to holiday travel, festive events, expanded regional connectivity, and targeted marketing aimed at both diaspora and leisure markets. It also pointed to notable growth from Europe and Latin America, signalling broader international interest in the destination.
For the full year, the ministry said market share was led by the United States (40%) and the Caribbean (33%), followed by Canada (7%), Latin America (7%), Europe (6%), and other markets (7%).
Key drivers cited by the ministry included expanded airline connectivity and competitive fares, strong post-pandemic diaspora demand, the pull of sports and cultural tourism events, and improved digital data monitoring systems.
The ministry also pointed to ongoing collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders as a major factor supporting tourism infrastructure and promotion.
The ministry said Guyana’s performance was also reflected in a Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) regional report for December 2025, which benchmarked growth across destinations.
Between January and October 2025, Guyana reportedly recorded a 23.8 per cent increase in international arrivals, identified as the highest growth rate among reporting Caribbean destinations for that period. The update said destinations such as Dominica (+16.2%), Trinidad and Tobago (+13.0%), and the Cayman Islands (+2.1%) trailed Guyana’s growth.
Measured against pre-pandemic travel, the ministry said Guyana achieved a 45.2% increase in arrivals compared to 2019, placing it among the region’s strongest tourism recoveries and ahead of Jamaica (+6.1%), Dominica (+19.1%), and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (+37.4%).
The ministry also pointed to months of sustained double-digit growth, listing increases in January (+22.8%), February (+16.8%), April (+40.5%), August (+43.9%), September (+36.9%), and October (+28.9%)—suggesting momentum throughout the year rather than a one-off surge.
Looking ahead, the ministry said the record-breaking 2025 performance positions Guyana for continued expansion in 2026, with visitor arrivals projected to reach 550,000 by year-end.
To sustain growth, the ministry said continued investment will be needed in airlift, infrastructure, marketing, and digital systems, while strengthening Guyana’s global eco-tourism brand and maintaining competitiveness as a regional benchmark for tourism recovery and sustainable growth.
