GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Guyana has commissioned a multi-million US dollar 172-room hotel here with President Irfaan Ali saying that the oil-rich country is positioning itself to become also a premier hosting destination in the region.
President Irfaan Ali watches as the ribbon is cut to open the US$30 million hotel on Thursday night“We are now positioning Guyana to be a premier hosting destination because we now have greater capacity and capability, and the confidence of the private sector is igniting greater confidence at the policy level to the extent that we are going after larger opportunities,” Ali said at the ceremony for the commissioning of the US$30 million Four Points by Sheraton Georgetown on Thursday night.
The facility combines global standards with every aspect of Guyanese culture. Amerindian craftwork adorns the hotel’s design mix, ranging from chairs and barstools, bedside lamp shades, the reception area backdrop, and wall art for all the floors.
It features a restaurant inspired by local cuisine and spices, conference, event facilities, and interior finishes, the president said, were deliberately chosen to showcase Guyana’s people, traditions, and natural heritage.
“When you go in the rooms, you will see black shades that represent Guyana, represent nature, forest, represent sustainability, resilience… You will find in every section of the hotel… pieces of Guyana that inspires you and make you …feel a sense of pride as a Guyanese,” Ali told the ceremony, expressing gratitude to the investors for choosing Guyana as an investment destination.
He said that the hotel becomes critical as Guyana is attracting strong local and regional interest, with bookings lined up for several major events in the coming weeks, and for this year so far, Guyana will host 11 conferences and six major sporting events.
He said that the hotel project related work for Guyanese long before its doors opened and will continue to generate opportunities now that it is complete. He said during the construction phase, scores of Guyanese were employed as engineers, masons, carpenters, welders, electricians, plumbers, painters, heavy-duty operators, truck drivers, security personnel, landscapers, cleaners, and supervisors, while suppliers of cement, steel, furniture, fixtures, fuel, and catering also benefited.
He said now that the facility is open, dozens of permanent jobs will be created adding that hospitality creates jobs, stimulates other sectors, and builds Guyana’s reputation on the world stage.
He linked this investment to Terminal Two at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), which, once complete, will move the facility from processing 800 passengers per hour to 3,200.
Ali described Guyana as an economy on the rise but one that is planning for the future, noting that tourism is one of the key sectors central to long-term economic resilience.
“That is why we are investing in the National School of Hospitality, spending tremendous resources to bring that school alive very soon. A hotel is not stand-alone. It depends on agriculture, fisheries, transport, entertainment, construction, finance, security, technology, laundry services, maintenance, and retail.”
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Susan Rodrigues, in her remarks noted that with the hotel’s opening, Guyana now boasts four Marriott branded hotels, underscoring the government’s drive to boost its hospitality sector.
Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, said that the rapidly expanding economy should not only be attributed to the burgeoning oil sector, but also because of the president’s vision for the country.
He said that IDB Invest has approved US$260 million in loans to support projects in the Guyanese economy, saying “that too did not happen by accident”.
