Gov’t moving ahead with new eco lodges, resorts  

The government is preparing to move into direct engagements with investors for a series of eco-lodge and resort developments, as the review of submitted proposals nears completion.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues recently said a technical committee is currently finalising its assessment of expressions of interest (EOI) received for multiple locations across the country.

“We’ve had a number of expressions including for the Lethem area and all of the other areas that were advertised, we have a technical committee that is reviewing those submissions and after the revision of their work we will be engaging those investors.

“The review, I’m told, is almost complete and then we’ll start the direct engagements with those who submitted expressions of interest,” Minister Rodrigues said.

The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to unlock Guyana’s tourism potential through targeted, sustainable investments in eco-tourism infrastructure.

Last year the government invited both local and international developers to submit proposals for projects in Regions Two, Three, Four, Seven, Eight and Nine, with several key sites identified for development. These include Mashabo in Region Two; the Vreed-en-Hoop Waterfront and Leguan in Region Three; the Stabroek Waterfront in Region Four; Bartica, Sakaika and Kumerau in Region Seven; Kamana and Orinduik in Region Eight; and Lethem in Region Nine.

According to the ministry, the initiative is designed to attract community-driven investments that will generate employment and expand economic opportunities in hinterland and coastal regions.

Developers are expected to benefit from a range of incentives, including fiscal measures, as the government seeks to position Guyana as a leading eco-tourism destination.

With the evaluation phase nearing completion, the next stage is expected to determine which projects move forward into development.