Guyanese President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has signalled the country’s ambition to become a major player in Caribbean tourism with the official opening of the Plaza Court Hotel on Main Street, Georgetown.

Speaking at the launch on January 17, Ali said strategic investments in infrastructure, safety, and human capital are positioning Guyana as a competitive destination in the global tourism market. 

He noted that the opening of Plaza Court Hotel, along with other recent hotel developments, reflects the country’s readiness to meet rising demand from international visitors.

“Within the next five years, Guyana will emerge as one of the premier tourism destinations in the Caribbean. This will not happen by accident or chance. The tourism boom has already begun. We are not waiting. We are laying the foundation brick by brick, runway by runway, room by room,” Ali said.

He called for hotel operators to collaborate under a unified national brand, urging them to sell “one product, one brand — Product Guyana.” 

Ali identified safety, service, and experience as the three pillars of a successful tourism sector. 

He said government investments have strengthened security infrastructure on Main Street, Lamaha Street, the Stabroek Market area, Kingston, and sections of the seawall, while technology upgrades have improved monitoring and emergency response systems.

The Plaza Court Hotel is the seventh major hotel to open in Guyana in the past year and the second this month, following the January 11 launch of an AC Marriott hotel near Eugene F Correia International Airport in Ogle.

The 60-room Plaza Court Hotel, built at a cost of US$18 million, was designed to international standards by One Construction Group. 

It is locally owned with no franchise affiliation and builds on the family’s experience in hospitality through the Palm Court brand. 

Facilities include a modern lobby, fully stocked bar, restaurant, meeting and private dining rooms, gym, rooftop bar overlooking the Demerara River, and a presidential suite for high-level visitors.

Chairman Ravin Prashad and Director Navin Prashad said the project was driven by confidence in Guyana’s future and the demand for quality accommodation, particularly during major regional and international events.