The new US$20 million Courtyard by Marriott Hotel officially opened today, located just a stone’s throw away from Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Timehri. This development marks the first international hotel constructed near the airport.
The 150-room hotel aims to meet the increasing demand for accommodation in Guyana, specifically targeting airline crew members, business travelers, diplomats, and in-transit passengers. In addition to its standard rooms, the hotel features five executive suites and is expected to employ around 200 staff once fully operational.
During the opening ceremony, CEO Roy Bassoo of Cardinal Investments Incorporated emphasized the significance of the project. “This venture highlights what is possible when foreign and local expertise merge. Its class and steel rise with purpose, reflecting not just sunlight but an ambition of a nation eager to greet the world,” he stated. Bassoo described the hotel as a beacon of Guyana’s international promise and flourishing economy.
In addition to the new hotel, Bassoo announced plans to construct another international hotel along the Heroes Highway on the East Bank of Demerara, with construction expected to commence early next year.
President Irfaan Ali praised the hotel’s opening, asserting that it positions Guyana as a potential transit hub in the region. He expressed confidence in the country’s economy, stating, “This investment is not an isolated act; it is part of a larger, deliberate, strategic plan. By the end of this year, Guyana will boast more than 2,000 world-class hotel rooms.”
Ali emphasized that the focus is not only on building hotels but also on enhancing capacity and standards. He announced plans for a world-class indoor arena to host international events, further underlining the country’s ambitions as a major tourist destination.
The hotel was developed under a US$20 million Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2021 between the government and Cardinal Investments Inc., with financing led by Republic Bank. Bassoo Building and Civil Engineering Contractors served as the main contractor, with engineering support from Qing Jian Group Company.
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