GEORGETOWN, Guyana; Friday, October 9, 2026: The Governments of Jamaica and Guyana have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in tourism and hospitality, deepening the longstanding diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries, and creating new opportunities for strategic partnerships, investment and sustainable tourism development.
The agreement was signed by Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, and Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Hon. Susan Rodrigues, during the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026, held in Georgetown, Guyana. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Permanent Secretary in Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, Ms. Jennifer Griffith; Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Mr. Kamrul Baksh; and Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Ms. Dona Regis-Prosper.
The MOU represents another significant milestone in Jamaica’s continued efforts to strengthen regional tourism integration, expand strategic partnerships and advance cooperation among Caribbean destinations. It establishes a framework for the exchange of knowledge, expertise and best practices, while facilitating greater collaboration among tourism stakeholders in both countries. Key areas of cooperation include tourism investment, air connectivity, education and training, sustainable tourism development, tourism resilience and the promotion of multi-destination tourism.
Minister Bartlett underscored the strategic importance of the agreement, noting that Jamaica’s partnership with Guyana, an emerging tourism destination with significant natural and cultural assets, will contribute meaningfully to the diversification of the Caribbean tourism product and the advancement of regional multi-destination tourism initiatives.
He further emphasised the importance of ensuring that tourism development extends beyond visitor arrival numbers to generate greater economic value, strengthen local participation and create sustainable opportunities for Caribbean communities.
“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 stated.
The partnership also reflects Jamaica’s commitment to leveraging its established expertise in tourism development, destination management, human capital development and tourism resilience to support knowledge exchange and capacity-building initiatives across the region. Through closer collaboration, both countries will be better positioned to harness their complementary tourism offerings, strengthen regional connectivity and promote a more integrated and competitive Caribbean tourism industry.
Minister Rodrigues welcomed the agreement, highlighting the opportunities it presents for strengthening bilateral tourism relations, facilitating the exchange of expertise and expanding cooperation between tourism stakeholders in Jamaica and Guyana.
“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.
The agreement is particularly timely as Jamaica continues to champion greater regional cooperation, multi-destination tourism and the development of a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable Caribbean tourism sector. Guyana’s expanding tourism industry, coupled with Jamaica’s longstanding experience and international leadership in tourism, presents valuable opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships and the development of innovative tourism products and experiences.
The signing of the MOU at SOTIC 2026 further reinforces Jamaica’s leadership in advancing regional tourism cooperation and its commitment to strengthening strategic alliances that enhance the Caribbean’s collective competitiveness in the global tourism marketplace.
Ultimately, the agreement reflects the shared vision of Jamaica and Guyana to position tourism as a catalyst for economic growth, regional integration, investment and sustainable development, while ensuring that the benefits of the industry are more widely distributed among Caribbean businesses, workers and communities.
