Rum tours, Rupununi Rodeo high on THAG’s agenda for 2026

Tourism is expected to give a significant boost to Guyana’s economy in 2026, and according to the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), rum tours and the annual Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo are high on the agenda.

Speaking to the News Room on Wednesday, THAG President Mitra Rajkumar said several accommodation operators have already reported being fully booked for the April extravaganza.

“Rodeo is huge and going to be even bigger in 2026. Rooms are already booked out,” Rajkumar said.

Adding to the calendar of annual events, the Tapas Wine Event and Restaurant Week will also be major highlights. He noted that the Tapas event will be held earlier in the year, instead of its usual timing in the fourth quarter, though the exact date is yet to be confirmed.

Each year, tourists seek fun excursions, often travelling to hinterland regions where eco-tourism products dominate. This year, Rajkumar said more focus will be placed on a much-anticipated activity: rum tours.

THAG has engaged local rum producers to facilitate more rum tours in 2026. Additionally, Banks DIH Ltd will launch a new beer plant this year, sparking further interest among beer enthusiasts. Both Banks beer and El Dorado rums, a Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) product, are well-recognised beverages, and Rajkumar said their production can be better showcased for tourism.

“People will be able to come in and see how Banks beer is made. DDL already has tours, but we want to expand them. These are huge tourism draws, and in 2026 we will work even harder with our partners,” he said.

Rajkumar added that safety measures at these facilities will be prioritised to ensure all tours are conducted securely.

Reflecting on 2025, he said hotel operators are “smiling all the way to the bank” thanks to a calendar of events that tourists eagerly anticipate.

Guyana’s hosting of Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Global Super League (GSL) games has also created a niche market for cricket lovers, who plan vacations around the matches and explore the country during a single trip. This demand has led many hoteliers to expand operations and construct new hotels to accommodate the influx of travellers.

“As it is now, whenever we have these events, we run out of rooms. That’s why more facilities are coming on board, and they are already reporting high occupancy levels. We have struggled to keep occupancy above 50 per cent, but that has improved significantly—and 2026 is looking even better,” he said.