GTA, Visit Rupununi, Conservation Int’l launch initiative to boost tourism data collection

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), in collaboration with Visit Rupununi and Conservation International-Guyana (CI-Guyana), on Wednesday launched the DATA Collection and Analysis 2026 initiative under the Nature’s Opportunity for Development (NODe) Project. The initiative will equip Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) involved in tourism with practical tools to collect and use tourism data to strengthen decision-making, improve services and support sustainable livelihoods.

The project will provide training in financial management, occupancy reporting and digital literacy, while strengthening local systems for collecting visitor and business data. Visitors will be encouraged to provide information through QR codes placed at strategic points across the region, including their trip origin, length of stay and spending patterns.

The data will help businesses better understand visitor dynamics, identify service gaps and respond to emerging trends. It will also provide the Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Commerce with stronger domestic data from the Rupununi, one of Guyana’s key tourism circuits. Visit Rupununi and CI-Guyana’s established presence in the region will support the implementation of the initiative.

The initiative will also contribute to the development of Guyana’s Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), which will support more accurate measurement of tourism’s economic impact.

As part of NODe’s wider focus on accessible finance, tailored technical assistance and strategic partnerships, the initiative positions communities to play a greater role in Guyana’s tourism growth. For the GTA, it supports its focus on tourism development, empowerment and conservation through training, mentorship and tools that strengthen business resilience and community pride.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Commerce and the GTA reaffirm their commitment to partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for Guyanese and ensure communities remain owners, innovators and beneficiaries of Guyana’s sustainable tourism development.

The launch in Lethem brought together representatives of the GTA, Small Business Bureau, community leaders and tourism operators.