Guyana's President Ali pitches Amazonia Sandals eco-resort to SRI's Adam Stewart

At the formal opening of CAMS Motors in Guyana — a joint venture that includes Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart's ATL Automotive — President Dr. Irfaan Ali made a direct, public pitch for Stewart to bring the Sandals brand into Guyana's eco-tourism space. 

Ali called on Stewart to partner with Guyana's private sector to create what he described as the world's first 'Amazonia Sandals' — a luxury all-inclusive eco-resort that would capitalise on Guyana's black-water rivers, white silica sands and Amazonian rainforest.

Ali revealed that he had first raised the concept with Stewart approximately one year earlier, and disclosed that elements of Guyana's private sector are prepared to mobilise an initial US$15 million should the venture take shape. He pointed to Region 10 — the Hilly Sand and Clay-belt area of Upper Demerara-Berbice, centred around Linden — as a prime candidate location.

Stewart, who was in Guyana to mark the CAMS Motors opening, acknowledged the lobbying openly but stopped well short of any commitment. 'That's not a public service announcement just yet,' he said. 'It's a we love the idea of it.' No site, timeline or investment figure has been confirmed by Sandals.

The pitch comes as Guyana's tourism sector posts record numbers — the Guyana Tourism Authority confirmed 453,489 visitor arrivals in 2025, its highest ever — with eight new hotels under construction, 1,300 new rooms in the pipeline and a planned US$11 million hospitality training institute underway.

• Ali made the pitch at the formal opening of CAMS Motors, a joint venture involving Stewart's ATL Automotive • Ali proposed an 'Amazonia Sandals' eco-resort concept, with Region 10 (Linden/Upper Demerara-Berbice) cited as a potential location • Guyana's private sector is prepared in principle to mobilise an initial US$15 million for the venture • Ali first raised the idea with Stewart approximately one year prior to the public appeal • Stewart said 'we love the idea' but explicitly stated it was not a public announcement or confirmed project • The Guyana Tourism Authority recorded a record 453,489 visitors in 2025 • Eight new hotels are currently under construction in Guyana, adding approximately 1,300 rooms • A US$11 million hospitality training institute is in planning

If a Sandals eco-resort were eventually to materialise in Guyana, it would represent a watershed moment for Caribbean tourism diversification — shifting the Sandals brand beyond its traditional sun-and-sea formula into Amazonian eco-tourism. 

Even as an aspirational pitch, Ali's lobbying signals Guyana's intent to leverage its oil-era visibility to attract marquee hospitality investors. 

According to the Guyana Tourism Authority, the country recorded an estimated 453,489 visitors in 2025 — its highest ever — providing a commercial foundation that makes the pitch credible even if a deal remains distant.

"According to preliminary figures released by the Guyana Tourism Authority, Guyana recorded an estimated 453,489 visitors in 2025 — described as the highest in the country's history."

— Guyana Tourism Authority, 24th anniversary statement

Presidential ambition — Guyana is ready and the opportunity is real: Ali argues that Guyana's unique combination of Amazonian rainforest, black-water rivers and white silica sands gives it an eco-tourism product no other destination can match. He has set a 2030 target and called on private investors to mobilise collectively, framing the 'Amazonia Sandals' concept not as a dream but as an actionable investment priority.

Sandals is intrigued but uncommitted: Stewart has acknowledged Ali's pitch warmly and said both parties 'love the idea', but was explicit that no formal announcement is imminent. His framing — 'that's not a public service announcement just yet' — indicates the idea is under genuine consideration while cautioning against reading it as a confirmed project or investment decision.

Guyana's tourism sector is maturing and earning regional recognition: GTA Director Kamrul Baksh and Deputy Director Liloutie Mangra point to record 2025 visitor numbers, 79 new tourism experiences and growing industry sophistication as evidence that the foundation for a major eco-resort investment is being built. The Global Piton Award won by Guyanese travel firm Global Tours and Travel further signals Guyana's rising standing in regional tourism.

"You will be doing your brand a great disservice if you don't have the bold capacity that I know your brand carries to make the best possible investment decision Sandals has ever made and that decision is to work with our private sector as partners."

— Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, via Ali woos Jamaican business executive to build a Sandals eco-hotel in Guyana