Guyana recorded a 22% increase in visitor arrivals in 2025 compared with the previous year, welcoming a record 453,489 visitors and posting the strongest annual tourism performance in its history, according to official tourism data.
The growth places Guyana among the fastest-expanding tourism markets in the Caribbean, reflecting a year marked by stronger air connectivity, rising diaspora travel and broader international interest in the South American nation.
Tourism activity remained solid toward the end of the year, including during traditionally slower periods. In November, Guyana recorded 34,706 visitor arrivals, an 8% increase over November 2024. Officials attributed the gains to increased diaspora travel for family reunions and cultural events, improved airlift and greater use of digital booking platforms. The United States and the Caribbean continued to dominate as source markets, while Canada and Europe showed steady increases.
December delivered the strongest monthly performance, with 47,337 visitor arrivals, a 21% rise over December 2024 and the highest number ever recorded for that month. Seasonal holiday travel, festive events and expanded regional connectivity contributed to the increase. While the United States and Caribbean remained the largest markets, arrivals from Europe and Latin America grew at a faster pace, indicating a widening international reach.
For the year as a whole, the United States accounted for about 40% of arrivals, followed by the Caribbean at 33%. Canada and Latin America each contributed roughly 7%, Europe 6%, and other markets made up the remaining 7%.
Tourism analysts point to expanded airline connectivity and competitive fares, along with strong post-pandemic diaspora demand and a growing calendar of sports and cultural events, as key drivers of the record performance. Improvements in tourism infrastructure and digital data-monitoring systems, supported by cooperation between public- and private-sector stakeholders, also played a role.
Guyana’s performance was reflected in the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s December 2025 regional tourism report. Between January and October 2025, Guyana recorded a 23.8% increase in international arrivals, the highest growth rate among reporting Caribbean destinations. Other countries, including Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Cayman Islands, posted slower growth during the same period.
Compared with pre-pandemic levels, Guyana’s visitor arrivals in 2025 were 45.2% higher than in 2019, placing it among the region’s strongest tourism recoveries and ahead of larger destinations such as Jamaica.
The CTO report also showed consistent double-digit growth across multiple months in 2025, suggesting sustained momentum rather than isolated spikes. While some Caribbean destinations struggled with flat or declining arrivals, Guyana emerged as one of the region’s fastest-recovering tourism markets.
Looking ahead, tourism officials project continued growth in 2026 as Guyana builds on recent gains in market diversification and air connectivity. Visitor arrivals are projected to reach about 550,000 by the end of the year, though analysts note that sustaining that pace will depend on continued investment in airlift, infrastructure and destination marketing.