THAG pledges private sector partnership as Guyana hosts Caribbean Tourism conference

Guyana will host the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s (CTO) State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) for the first time from October 5 to 9, 2026, with the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) pledging solid private sector partnership to support the event.

THAG President Mitra Ramkumar told the News Room that the Association’s members have already engaged the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) to provide tourism opportunities during the conference.

“We see ourselves as partners in hosting this conference. This is not just going to be government doing all the heavy lifting, the private sector is involved, because this conference brings a lot of benefit for the private sector,” Ramkumar said.

He said SOTIC is the kind of event THAG has lobbied for as efforts intensify to drive more business for the tourism industry. He said the association intends to capitalise on the business opportunities that international conferences bring to Guyana.

According to Ramkumar, THAG has been meeting with the ministry and the GTA to ensure a smooth conference, with particular focus on programming for accompanying persons, the family members or guests of participants who are not attending the conference sessions themselves.

“We have already presented to the CTO a number of our menu of options that they can do for trips,” he said.

Among the options submitted in advance for circulation to conference attendees were half-day tours, including a Demerara River boat tour and a heritage and historic tour, Ramkumar said.

He added that THAG would work alongside the CTO and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) on conference promotion and accommodation arrangements for participants.

The association has also been encouraging member businesses to prepare to receive conference visitors, he said, noting that such conferences drive revenue while promoting the country’s tourism products.

“We encourage persons to participate,” he said.