Guyana recorded more than 226,000 visitor arrivals during the first half of 2026, putting the country on course to surpass half a million visitors by year-end, according to figures released by the Guyana Tourism Authority.
The authority said 226,463 people entered the country between January and June, a 12 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
June alone brought 40,002 visitors, representing year-over-year growth of 16.8 per cent. Leisure travel accounted for 61 per cent of arrivals during the six-month period, while business travellers represented 16 per cent. Other forms of travel made up the remaining 23 per cent.
The growth continued into July, when Guyana recorded 45,127 visitors, the highest total reported for that month. That figure was 11.1 per cent above July 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.
Officials attributed some of the increase to conferences, sporting tournaments, cultural activities and business events. The Global Super League cricket tournament, International Building Expo and several regional conferences were among the events held during the reporting period.
The government is projecting more than 500,000 arrivals by Dec. 31. The authority also reported licensing 13 accommodation businesses, 34 tour operators and nine lodges and resorts during the first six months of 2026. More than 1,100 people received tourism-related training.
