LEONORA, Guyana — Trail Masters Adventure Tours yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Region Three Chamber of Commerce and Industry, positioning Guyana's Essequibo Islands–West Demerara corridor as the country's next major tourism destination.
The agreement targets what both parties describe as an underexplored stretch of coastline and waterways west of Georgetown. It outlines plans to develop heritage tourism around historical estates and plantations, expand agro-tourism across the region's agricultural belt, and open river-based excursions along the area's extensive waterway network.
Trail Masters owner Klaus Christopher Chin said many of Region Three's most remarkable sites remain hidden from visitors. The MOU, he said, aims to convert those sites into structured tourism experiences that generate revenue for surrounding communities.
R3CCI President Babita Albert framed the partnership as an economic lever for residents. The agreement is designed to create local jobs in hospitality, transportation, and guiding services while channeling tourist spending directly into the regional economy.
Guyana Tourism Authority Director Kamrul Baksh endorsed the signing, calling such public-private partnerships the "bedrock" of the tourism industry. He said the agreement would accelerate development across the West Demerara and Essequibo Islands corridors.
The timing is strategic. Two major infrastructure projects, the new Demerara River bridge and the Parika Port expansion, are set to dramatically improve access to Region Three. Both developments will shorten travel times from Georgetown and open routes that were previously impractical for day-trip tourism.
Domestic travel demand in Guyana has been climbing steadily as the country's oil-driven economic expansion puts more disposable income in consumers' hands. Region Three, with its proximity to the capital and diverse natural attractions, stands to capture a significant share of that demand.
The MOU covers joint marketing initiatives, product development for new tour packages, and coordination with national tourism authorities to ensure the region's offerings meet international standards.
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