Interview with Hon. Susan M. Rodrigues
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce of Guyana
Hon. Susan M. Rodrigues
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce of Guyana
Why Guyana’s Story Deserves a Global Stage: The Power of Storytelling
Guyana is one of the most naturally beautiful and culturally rich destinations in the region, yet it still feels like a well-kept secret. How do you think storytelling can help Guyana share its beauty with the world?
Storytelling helps us connect people to the heart of Guyana. When travellers hear about our pristine rainforest, our waterfalls, or our diverse communities through real stories, it sparks curiosity and understanding. Narrating Guyana’s story in the right way- authentically and directly is essential to bringing increased awareness to the tourism offerings.
We want to continue appealing to off-the-beaten-path travellers, those who seek responsible and sustainable tourism offerings. Powerful storytelling that highlights the community-centric approach to tourism enterprise development will help spread the message of Guyana’s sustainable, community-led, and community-owned tourism product.
Guyana’s tourism product portfolio is undergoing transformation through diversification; however, this will not remove the fundamental makeup of its offerings. Sending the right message about the ethos of our product through the proper channels will increase the success of Destination Guyana.
Showcasing Authentic Voices
Travellers today are drawn to authenticity real people, local culture, and genuine experiences. How important is it for Guyana to empower creators and storytellers to capture that side of the country?
It is critically important. Guyana has long practiced community-driven and community-led tourism, focusing on showcasing authentic experiences through culture, food, nature, and adventure. Guyana has moved in the direction of working with both local and international content creators and storytellers to tell Guyana’s tourism story to the world. We work closely with individuals who can responsibly promote Guyana’s five major tourism pillars: Nature and Wildlife, Culture and Heritage, Birding, Active Adventure, Scientific, Academic, Volunteer, and Educational activities.
The global travel audience is now digital, and Guyana recognizes the need to partner with content creators and storytellers. In 2026, several activities are planned to scale this to new heights.
Global Visibility Through Creators
Around the world, destinations are using travel festivals and influencer challenges to build excitement. What kinds of international collaborations or digital campaigns do you believe could elevate Guyana’s tourism profile globally?
We’re already moving in that direction. Collaborations with international creators help us reach audiences in new ways. Guyana has worked with renowned global influencers such as Dylan Efron, who has superbly captured our nature and cultural products.
We’re planning more familiarization trips and creator exchanges, where media representatives, filmmakers, photographers, and influencers can explore the best of Destination Guyana, discover the compelling nature, adventure and culture-based product and share their experiences with their audiences. Paired with data-driven digital campaigns, these efforts will strengthen Guyana’s visibility and attract travellers who value authentic and sustainable experiences. This will give us access to larger markets in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
Youth and Creative Economy
Guyana has a growing population of young creatives. How do you see them contributing to the tourism story not just as hosts, but as global ambassadors for the country?
Our young people are one of our most significant assets and core strengths. Many are already producing highly engaging content that highlights Guyana’s diverse tourism niches – culture, nature, adventure and lifestyle. We currently have ongoing partnerships with local creators and influencers who continue to share authentic stories about the country, helping us reach new audiences at home and in key markets, such as the USA, Canada, and the UK.
The diaspora is a massive tourism market for Guyana and is tuned in to vloggers, social media content creators and key opinion leaders. For example, we employed a series of bloggers during the pandemic to highlight how safe Guyana was as a destination, which helped convince travellers to decide to travel to Guyana. We intend to scale up the partnerships with the growing local creative community to represent Guyana at consumer shows and other visibility events.
Cultural Pride Meets Innovation
From heritage to modern hospitality, Guyana offers a rich mix of experiences. How can tourism campaigns better highlight this balance to inspire both regional and international travellers?
Guyana does not have a homogenous product, it is authentic, diverse and unique. We need to show that visitors can enjoy both our nature, our heritage, and rustic experiences, but they can couple it with our modern amenities and comforts in a single trip.
You can spend a morning in an Indigenous village like Pakuri, learning traditional crafts, and that same evening dine in a contemporary restaurant in Georgetown and stay in an international branded hotel. Our campaigns focus on creating seamless experiences that showcase how tradition and innovation coexist. It’s about giving travellers a complete immersive experience, combining the raw and refined.
Destination Differentiation
Many Caribbean and South American destinations are competing for attention. What makes Guyana’s tourism story distinct and unique?
Guyana stands out because our tourism is rooted in nature, adventure culture, and community. Over 85 per cent of our land is covered in pristine rainforest, and we’ve made firm commitments to protect it. Our Indigenous-led lodges, wildlife experiences, and locally driven conservation efforts make the destination feel authentic and responsible. Guyana also offers the best of both worlds; we share the vibrancy and warmth of the Caribbean while being firmly part of South America’s landscape and adventure. And as the only country on the continent where English is the official language, visitors find it easy to connect with our people and culture. That mix of accessibility, diversity, and natural beauty is what makes Guyana truly unique.
Sustainable Storytelling
Sustainability has long been a pillar of Guyana’s tourism vision. How can creative collaborations between content creators, filmmakers, and local communities help communicate that message more powerfully?
Collaborations bring the message to life. When filmmakers work alongside communities, the stories become more authentic and relatable. We have seen this with projects like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council/Travel Redefined: Tourism for People and Planet initiative, as showcased in the “Content with a Purpose” video series, which featured Caiman House and highlighted how community-led tourism supports conservation and education in the Rupununi. Stories like these demonstrate the real impact of tourism, which sustains livelihoods, protects ecosystems, and empowers local people. When travellers see these connections, they understand that visiting Guyana isn’t just about exploring nature; it’s about being part of something meaningful.
A Message to the World
If the world’s top travel storytellers were watching, what would you invite them to experience first in Guyana and why do you think they’d fall in love with it?
I’d invite them to see Kaieteur- the highest single drop waterfall in the world (741 feet), it’s breathtaking in its scale and setting, and then spend time in the Rupununi. There, they can experience community-led and owned tourism at its best: meeting locals, tasting traditional food, and exploring pristine savannahs and rivers.
Guyana is the only country in the world that offers authentic community-led and owned tourism, where the community owns the land, the accommodation facilities, the assets, and controls the profits of the enterprise. This differentiates our tourism offering and makes us stand out as a destination.
Those moments stay with you. Guyana is more than a destination; it’s a feeling of connection, adventure, and discovery. Once you experience it, you’ll want to tell that story to the world.
