Air traffic up 450% in four years as Pres Ali moves to align hotels, government on tourism target
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Saturday pointed to a sharp rise in air traffic and international connectivity as evidence of Guyana’s rapidly expanding tourism market, while assuring investors that government will work closely with hotel operators to protect and grow their investments.
Speaking at the opening of AC Marriott Guyana, President Ali said recent aviation figures reflect “some of the changes taking place” in the country’s tourism and travel sector.
“I was going through some figures that I believe are helpful for us to understand some of the changes taking place,” the President said.
Focusing on activity at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, he noted that arriving passenger traffic increased by close to 450 per cent over the past four years, while overall passenger movement rose by nearly 440 per cent.
According to President Ali, passenger traffic across all ports of entry surpassed 1.2 million in 2025, with international landings increasing by 254 per cent during the same period. He added that the number of aircraft seats grew by 400.5 per cent, international carriers servicing Guyana expanded by 220 per cent, and destinations served by the airport increased by 184 per cent.
“Those are some numbers that speak for itself,” the President said.
Addressing concerns about the rapid influx of new hotels and tourism investments, President Ali urged confidence in the government’s approach to managing the expanding market.
“Now I want when you hear all of these hotels coming, you might become a bit taken back, and you might be saying, hold a minute, the market,” he said.
He assured investors that government intends to meet with hotels, resorts and tourism operators before the end of the month to craft a joint strategy focused on marketing and targeting new visitor segments.
“I want you to be confident, to know that you are with a government that will sit with all of the hotels, resorts and other tourism outlets… for us to come up with a joint strategy, not only in marketing, but in targeting,” the President said.
He explained that the strategy would go beyond visitors who have already decided to travel to Guyana, and instead focus on creating new target markets in collaboration with operators.
“You have shown confidence in us as a government and as a country, and we have a duty to work as hard as possible to ensure the success of your investment in this country,” President Ali said.
He added that government views itself as a partner to the private sector, noting that “private sector and government work hand in hand,” with the state acting as a facilitator of growth, a policy framer, and an open partner ready to embrace ideas that expand opportunities and strengthen Guyana’s business landscape.
