Budget 2026: Tourism institute to open, Palmyra Cultural Market tapped as flagship “orange economy” projects
The government is positioning tourism and the creative industries as major job-creation engines in 2026, with the anticipated completion and opening of the Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute at Port Mourant, Region Six, and the development of the Palmyra Cultural Market among its flagship initiatives.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, told the National Assembly during the presentation of Budget 2026 that visitor arrivals have been steadily rising, reaching a record 453,489 visitors in 2025, the highest ever recorded.
Over the next five years, he said, the government intends to transform the sector by ensuring sustainable, world-class tourism experiences, expanding air and domestic connectivity, creating jobs, empowering communities and making travel more affordable for both Guyanese and visitors.
Dr. Singh said human resource development will underpin the sector’s growth, and described the Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute, now under construction at Port Mourant, as a headline project.
The institute, he said, is slated for completion and opening in 2026 and will have the capacity to train over 700 individuals.
To complete the facility, Singh announced that $2.2 billion has been budgeted in 2026.
Turning to culture and the creative arts, often described globally as the “orange economy,” Dr. Singh said the government is moving to unlock the sector’s economic potential, positioning culture not only as national identity but also as an industry capable of creating jobs, generating income, and improving livelihoods.
He said the government has established a national multi-stakeholder orange economy task force, initiated by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, which will craft a medium-term strategic plan for the sector, supported by national consultations expected this year.
The Minister said eight priority areas have already been identified, including cultural heritage tourism, gastronomy, literary arts, visual and performing arts, film, fashion and festivals.
As part of the sector build-out, Dr. Singh said the government operationalised the Port Mourant Recording Studio in 2025 and began constructing three additional studios at Buxton, Reliance and Uitvlugt, which are expected to be completed in 2026 to support young Guyanese in recording their own music. He also said more than 80 events were hosted in 2025, engaging over 500 artists.
For 2026, Dr. Singh said the government will advance work on a state-of-the-art museum and art gallery and the Palmyra Cultural Market, with a $1.3 billion budgeted specifically for these projects.
He said improved internet connectivity will also help creators tap into digital marketplaces to monetise their work, as the government pushes to position Guyana as a regional leader in cultural and creative industries.
Singh reported that $3.6 billion was spent on cultural initiatives in 2025, while $3.7 billion is budgeted in 2026 to further develop the sector.
