Qatar company breaks ground for massive seafront resort and convention center
Georgetown, Guyana—(February 19, 2024) His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali underscored that the tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors are integrally important to the country’s overall economic strategy.
The Head of State made the pronouncement while delivering the feature address at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Centre that will be built by a Qatari Company— Power Holding Inc. through the Assets Group, on Carifesta Avenue.
The President said that the hotel, which will feature more than 400 rooms, 260 rooms and suites and 160 service apartments, will add to the country’s pool of more than 1300 world-class rooms by the end of 2024.
He noted that the Aiden Best Western in Georgetown is expected to open in June 2024 and will add 150 more rooms; the Marriott Courtyard in Timeheri is expected to open by the last quarter of 2024 and will add 150 more rooms; the Four Points by Sheraton at Providence will add 172 new rooms; the AC Marriott at Ogle is expected to open by December 2024 and will add more than 150 new rooms and the Hyatt Place at Providence will add more than 130 more new rooms when completed.
The ten hotels that are currently under construction, the President noted, represent a total investment of over US$250m from the private sector, indicative of the confidence of international partners in Guyana’s economy and development trajectory.
“In Guyana today, we are increasing arrivals for tourism tourists, but we also have increasing arrivals for business, strategists, development planners and other key stakeholders that require a certain level of quality in accommodation and a certain level of quality in place of stay. This facility will definitely add to the growing improvement in the quality that we’re offering.”
The President stated that these investments align with his Government’s plan to promote sustainable development and preserve the country’s essence. To achieve this goal, the Seafront Resort and Convention will reflect Georgetown’s architectural history.
“The architectural history of Georgetown was carefully taken into consideration in the design of the building, the natural attributes of Guyana were taken into the design of the building, and you will see more on that. A lot of time was spent on integrating the culture of the country, the natural beauty of the country and the architecture of the country into the design of this facility.”
The Head of State said that his Government will continue investing heavily in replanting the city, rehabilitating and enhancing its infrastructure and other measures to redevelop “one of the most beautiful, naturally green cities that the world will see”.
Amenities at the hotel will include premier villas, members’ clubs, retail units for international food, beverage and fashion brands, and a state-of-the-art health club.
Guyana-Qatar Relationship
During his address, President Ali emphasised the significance of the relationship between Guyana and Qatar, stating that it encompasses several key areas, including tourism and hospitality, services, oil and gas, and food security.
“This relationship is as a result of our government commitment in diversifying the investors’ stream and diversifying the capital markets through which investment is made in Guyana. This is important, and since we have established a strong focus on the Middle East and other parts of the world that were not traditionally focused on investment in this region, we have seen tremendous interest. Qatar is one of the countries that has shown remarkable speed in expanding this interest and transforming this interest into reality.”
The President announced that soon, a new stadium will be constructed in Region Three, which Qatar will finance as a “grant and gift of friendship that exists between the two countries.”
Prime Minister, the Honourable Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips; Vice President, the Honourable Dr Bharrat Jagdeo; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the Honourable Oneidge Walrond; other cabinet ministers; government officials and members of the diplomatic community were also at the groundbreaking event.
