(Kaieteur News) – The Governments of Guyana and Jamaica have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in tourism and hospitality, deepen longstanding relations between the two countries and create new opportunities for collaboration and investment.
The agreement was signed by Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues, and Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, during the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026 at the Atlantic Suites by Hyatt. The signing took place in the presence of Permanent Secretary of Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith; Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Kamrul Baksh; and Secretary-General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Ms Dona Regis-Prosper.
The MOU establishes a framework for both countries to share knowledge and expertise, strengthen engagement between tourism stakeholders and encourage travel between the two destinations. It also creates opportunities for collaboration in tourism investment, air connectivity, education and training, sustainable tourism development and tourism resilience.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, and Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett.
Minister Rodrigues welcomed the agreement, noting that it provides an opportunity for both countries to strengthen tourism ties, share expertise and explore new avenues for collaboration.
“This partnership allows us to learn from each other’s experiences, build stronger connections between our tourism stakeholders and create opportunities that benefit our people and the wider Caribbean,” Minister Rodrigues said.
Minister Bartlett stated that the partnership with Guyana, an emerging destination, will add great value to Caribbean tourism integration and the strategies for multi-destination tourism. He emphasised the importance of moving beyond visitor arrival numbers to ensure that tourism delivers greater value to local economies and contributes meaningfully to the prosperity of Caribbean people.
“Guyana is adding much more to the Caribbean tourism experience, with its forests, hidden valleys and rich natural heritage. We want to build the capacity of our people to respond to the demands of prosperity and ensure that we retain greater value from tourism for our people,” Minister Bartlett said.
The agreement comes as Guyana continues to expand its tourism sector, strengthen international partnerships and position Destination Guyana as a competitive, sustainable tourism destination. Closer collaboration with Jamaica will create opportunities to exchange experiences, develop partnerships and advance a more resilient and inclusive regional tourism industry.
The signing during SOTIC 2026 reinforces the importance of regional cooperation in advancing shared tourism priorities and ensuring that the sector creates lasting opportunities for Caribbean businesses, workers and communities.
Source: Kaieteur News
