ALI WARNS CARIBBEAN TOURISM RISKS FALLING BEHIND WITHOUT MAJOR INVESTMENT AND REGIONAL COOPERATION

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA | October 8, 2026 — President Irfaan Ali has warned that the Caribbean risks losing its competitive position in the global tourism industry unless governments and private investors significantly expand infrastructure investment, improve regional transportation and adopt a more coordinated approach to tourism development.

Delivering the keynote address at the opening of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) on Wednesday, Ali challenged regional leaders and tourism operators to move beyond relying primarily on the Caribbean’s natural attractions.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the president argued that while the region possesses valuable natural assets, its future success will depend on how effectively those resources are supported by modern infrastructure, technology, investment and regional partnerships.

“Our natural product and our natural beauty are important assets. But if we are complacent about the way we will reorganise, reorient, revalue, reposition this asset, we are not going to optimise its value in the future,” Ali warned.

He compared the potential consequences of complacency in tourism to the decline of West Indies cricket, suggesting that natural talent and historical success alone cannot guarantee continued international competitiveness.

A central concern raised by the president was the Caribbean’s fragmented transportation network, which he identified as a major obstacle to expanding regional tourism.

Ali argued that an integrated transportation system would allow Caribbean destinations to operate more effectively as a connected tourism market rather than competing individually for international visitors.

He pointed to major infrastructure investments in the Gulf states, Brazil and Mexico as examples of how competing destinations are strengthening their tourism industries.

Turning to Guyana, Ali highlighted planned and ongoing infrastructure developments, including a new airport terminal, proposed regional airports at Lethem and Berbice, a deep-water port, improved road connections and new urban developments.

“An airport today is not the airport of yesterday…That is why we are investing in Terminal 2, not only as a new terminal, but as a terminal that will tell the story of Guyana and where Guyana aspires to be,” he said.

The president also urged regional governments and investors to incorporate disaster preparedness into tourism development from the planning stage.

Referring to Jamaica’s recent experience with natural disasters, Ali proposed that tourism investment agreements include contingency provisions that can be activated when emergencies disrupt operations.

He called on the Caribbean Tourism Organisation to help develop a regional mechanism for disaster preparedness and business continuity, while encouraging businesses to reduce their dependence on individual markets and vulnerable supply chains.

Ali further emphasized the importance of strengthening links between tourism and regional agriculture, suggesting that hotels and other tourism businesses should source more food from local farmers and Caribbean suppliers.

Technology was another priority, with the president proposing greater regional cooperation on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. He argued that Caribbean countries would benefit from developing shared strategies rather than attempting to address emerging technological challenges independently.

On international events, Ali suggested that Caribbean governments identify 10 major global events they could collectively pursue by 2035, supported by coordinated investment in venues, transportation and other infrastructure.

He also pointed to Guyana’s Global Biodiversity Alliance initiative and its application, backed by CARICOM, to host a United Nations Conference of the Parties as examples of the country’s efforts to increase its international profile.

However, Ali challenged private investors to become more innovative in developing tourism attractions, suggesting that Guyana’s tropical forests could support a world-class nighttime safari experience.

“This is where our investors are too laid back…They’re satisfied with the product that nature has given them. But the future is going to be completely different,” the president said.

His remarks placed particular emphasis on the need for the Caribbean to develop tourism experiences that combine its natural environment with investment, innovation and modern visitor expectations.

Ali also pointed to the recovery of international tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic as evidence of the industry’s ability to rebound from major disruptions.

“Tourism is always resilient. But we have to now add to that resilience by the infrastructure, the investment, the partnership, the strategy,” he stated.

The conference, being hosted in Guyana for the first time, brought together tourism ministers, regional industry representatives, investors and development partners.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues and Inter-American Development Bank Chief of Operations Ivan Alonso were among those participating in the opening ceremony.

The Guyana Tourism Authority also received the Green Destinations Country Baseline Assessment Award during the event.

SOTIC 2026 continues through October 9 under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive,” with discussions focused on the industry’s future competitiveness, sustainability and opportunities for regional collaboration.

Ali’s address underscored his position that the Caribbean’s tourism future will depend not only on attracting more visitors, but on building the infrastructure, partnerships and investment capacity needed to compete with rapidly developing destinations around the world.