Guyana Shines at Adventure Travel World Summit 2024 in Panama

Guyana made a significant impact at the 2024 Adventure Travel World Summit in Panama City, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable tourism. The delegation, led by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), showcased the country's rich biodiversity, including its rainforests and waterfalls, while promoting eco-friendly travel. Industry leaders emphasized the importance of responsible tourism in attracting adventure travelers. With Guyana's fast-growing GDP, the nation aims to boost its tourism sector while maintaining its commitment to environmental preservation, ensuring the benefits of tourism reach local communities.

Illegal Land Sales Along Soesdyke-Linden Highway Draw Gov’t Warning

The Guyanese government has issued a strong warning against illegal land sales along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway after reports emerged of citizens paying for plots but never receiving them. Minister Kwame McCoy, speaking at a community meeting, emphasized that only the Ministry of Housing and Water is authorized to manage land sales, urging residents to report any unauthorized transactions. These illegal activities are said to hinder land allocation and delay housing development along the highway. The government is calling for collaboration to ensure legal land ownership and to support the nation's growth.

Business Opportunities Based On Today’s Developments

Small Enterprises (SE)

1. Vocational Training & Certifications (Female Empowerment)
   With increasing government support for women in male-dominated fields, a small enterprise could focus on providing vocational training and certification specifically targeted at women in sectors such as construction, heavy machinery operations, and agriculture. This could include partnerships with government bodies like the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and provide a steady stream of skilled laborers for agriculture and infrastructure projects.
   

   Notes: Create affordable courses, especially in rural regions where access is limited, and provide job placement support. You could also explore grants or microloans to fund such ventures, taking advantage of gender equality initiatives.
   

2. Eco-Tourism & Adventure Travel
   The Adventure Travel World Summit highlighted Guyana’s growing reputation as a leader in sustainable tourism. Small enterprises could explore opportunities in local eco-tourism services like guided tours, homestays, kayaking tours, or culinary experiences featuring local cuisine for adventure travelers.

   
   Notes: Focus on unique, authentic experiences that tie into Guyana’s biodiversity and cultural heritage, such as river tours, waterfall hikes, or traditional cooking classes.
   

3. Food Safety Consulting for Fisheries
   The Seabob Industry received training on food safety and international market access. A small enterprise could be formed around food safety consulting, helping smaller fishing operators comply with HACCP and other safety standards required to export products globally.

   
   Notes: Partner with the FAO or other fisheries bodies to offer workshops or create certification programs for local fishers. This business could also extend into other sectors, such as agriculture and food processing.
   

4. Content Creation for Educational Outreach
   With the Guyana Energy Conference's Essay Competition, there’s a growing push to engage youth in the country’s future. A small content creation business could focus on producing educational videos, social media campaigns, and written content targeted at young audiences about energy, sustainability, and innovation.
   

   Notes: This could involve partnerships with schools, educational organizations, and corporate sponsors to create engaging and informative digital content aimed at fostering future business leaders.

Medium Enterprises (ME)

1. Tourism & Hospitality Business in Linden
   The Region 10 Tourism Committee is actively working to make Linden a tourism hub, with initiatives to make hotels sustainable year-round. A medium-sized enterprise could set up a boutique hotel, guesthouse, or adventure activity business offering kayaking, hiking, or cultural tourism to visitors.

   
   Notes: Invest in differentiating the business with unique local experiences (historical tours, mining history, etc.), possibly partnering with existing stakeholders for packages that run during off-peak tourism seasons.
   

2. Agricultural Machinery & Service Leasing
   With the government’s handover of mini-excavators and a focus on agricultural infrastructure, there’s a need for machinery rental services for small farmers and municipal governments. A medium-sized enterprise could provide equipment leasing services for small and medium-scale agricultural projects, including heavy-duty machinery like excavators, tractors, and harvesters.

   
   Notes: Partner with local government bodies like MMA/ADA to ensure consistent leasing demand. You could also include maintenance services to add value to the offering.
   

3. Sustainable Seabob Product Export & Processing
   With a strengthened focus on food safety and market access, a medium enterprise could explore seabob shrimp processing for local and international markets. By investing in quality processing and packaging that meets international standards, this business could export Guyanese seabob to larger global markets.
   

   Notes: Explore partnerships with existing fisheries and leverage international funding programs (e.g., FISH4ACP Programme) to develop a processing plant with eco-friendly practices and technologies.
   

4. Construction Services for Infrastructure Development
   With the planned $91M upgrade of Skull City’s roads and other infrastructure projects, medium-sized construction firms could take advantage of the surge in government contracts to provide road construction, drainage solutions, and civil engineering services.
   

   Notes: Explore partnerships with regional contractors and government bodies to get access to contracts, especially as more rural and flood-prone areas come under development.

Large Enterprises (LE)

1. Energy Sector Consulting & Supply Chain Development
   With the Guyana Energy Conference actively engaging youth and encouraging local participation in the energy sector, large enterprises can focus on consulting services for energy infrastructure, oil, and gas development. In addition, businesses could offer supply chain management solutions for international energy companies operating in Guyana.
   

   Notes: Develop specialized consulting services around sustainability practices, local content integration, and workforce development to position your company as a key player in this rapidly expanding sector.
   

2. Hospitality & Accommodation Services (CampBOSS)
   The opening of TOTALTEC’s CampBOSS Hospitality Complex demonstrates a growing demand for high-quality accommodations in Greater Georgetown driven by the oil and gas industry. A large enterprise could invest in creating high-end hotels, corporate housing, or extended-stay services for professionals coming to Guyana for long-term projects.
   

   Notes: Focus on providing premium services like fitness centers, conference facilities, and executive suites that cater specifically to the growing expatriate and professional demographic in Georgetown.
   

3. Eco-Friendly Construction & Development
   With the Skull City road upgrades and other urban development projects in Guyana, there is a growing demand for sustainable construction solutions. A large enterprise could lead the development of eco-friendly urban projects, including smart city infrastructure, energy-efficient buildings, and green public spaces.
   

   Notes: Leverage international partnerships for eco-friendly materials and technology and capitalize on government incentives for sustainability. Collaborate with oil companies for CSR-backed infrastructure projects, such as renewable energy integration in these developments.
   

4. Auditing & Compliance Services for Energy Sector
   The VHE Consulting contract win to audit ExxonMobil Guyana reflects a growing need for auditing, financial services, and compliance support for the energy sector. Large enterprises could offer comprehensive auditing and compliance management services that ensure oil and gas companies meet local regulations and international standards.
   

   Notes: Expand offerings to include tax advisory, environmental audits, and local content monitoring. Develop a reputation as a leader in financial oversight and regulatory compliance for the energy industry.

Additional Thoughts

• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Many opportunities could benefit from partnerships between small, medium, and large enterprises. For example, small eco-tourism businesses could collaborate with large hospitality chains to offer bespoke packages to tourists. Similarly, medium-sized agricultural machinery businesses could partner with large construction firms for infrastructure development projects in rural areas.
  

• Emphasis on Sustainability: With the global shift toward eco-friendly practices highlighted by developments in tourism and energy sectors, businesses of all sizes should incorporate sustainability into their models. This could be through green building practices, renewable energy use, or sustainable food sourcing in hospitality.
  

• Youth Engagement & Workforce Development: As evidenced by the Guyana Energy Conference's essay competition, there is a strong focus on youth development in the workforce, particularly in the energy sector. Businesses should consider setting up internship programs, youth training initiatives, or scholarships to build a future-ready workforce.

This approach taps into emerging sectors while also considering the local market’s evolving needs, positioning businesses at all levels for growth in Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy.

Side Hustle Ideas Based On Today’s Developments

1. Adventure & Cultural Tourism Packages

With Guyana increasingly recognized as a sustainable adventure tourism destination, locals can create weekend tour packages that combine nature excursions, cultural experiences, and local cuisine. Whether it’s offering rainforest hikes, visits to waterfalls, or curated village tours, individuals can guide small groups of tourists on unique and immersive weekend experiences.

Value Add: Highlight local traditions and culture, offering authentic experiences that travelers can’t get elsewhere. Partnering with hotels or local tourism bodies can help attract a steady flow of tourists without heavy investment in infrastructure.

2. Mobile Machinery Services for Agriculture

With the rise in government investment in agricultural infrastructure (e.g., mini-excavators for flood management), individuals with access to small machinery or farming equipment could offer mobile services to local farmers or small businesses on the weekends. Services could include drainage clearing, land preparation, or small-scale construction on farms or residential plots.

Value Add: By providing these services on weekends or after-hours, individuals can cater to the growing need for efficient, mechanized farming and land management in regions where agriculture is still vital. This can be done without needing full-time machinery ownership by leveraging rental agreements.

3. Food Safety & Export Compliance Consultant

As highlighted by the recent seabob industry updates, there is a growing need for food safety compliance for local fisheries and small producers seeking international market access. Someone with experience or certification in food handling, quality control, or agriculture can offer consulting services to local fisheries or food producers on how to meet international safety and export standards like HACCP.

Value Add: This can be a high-value service offered part-time, and consultants can work with both small producers and larger fisheries looking to ensure their products are export-ready. Offering workshops or certification prep could also be an additional income stream.