President Ali urges Caribbean to scale up tourism investment

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has called on Caribbean governments, investors, and tourism stakeholders to “scale up” their investment and strategic thinking to remain competitive in the global market. Speaking at the opening of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s (CTO) State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Georgetown, Guyana, Ali warned that relying solely on natural beauty is insufficient to combat fast-moving competitors.

Ali noted that regions such as the Middle East, Brazil, and Mexico are investing heavily in luxury resorts, entertainment, and transport infrastructure. He emphasized that integrated transport systems are critical to modern tourism, citing Guyana’s own ongoing projects, including a new airport terminal, regional airports, a deep-water port, and improved road links.

To compete effectively, the President suggested greater regional cooperation, including a goal to attract at least 10 major global events by 2035. He also advocated for stronger disaster preparedness, diversified supply chains, the integration of regional farmers into the tourism sector, and joint regional strategies regarding artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.