Technology must enhance humanity, not replace it, Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President Mitra Ramkumar said in a World Tourism Day 2026 message, as the country marks the observance under the theme "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism."

Artificial Intelligence, he said, cannot replicate the warmth of a Guyanese welcome, the knowledge of an Indigenous guide whose understanding of the forest has been passed through generations, or the story behind a traditional meal and the craftsmanship of a local artisan.

"Technology should help us take these stories to the world, but our people must remain at the heart of the story," Ramkumar said, adding that digital transformation must go hand in hand with training and capacity building for tourism workers, entrepreneurs and young people across Guyana.

His comments came as the sector welcomed a record 453,489 visitors in 2025, with that momentum continuing into 2026. Still, Ramkumar said success cannot be measured by arrival numbers alone, but by the opportunities, careers and community empowerment tourism creates, alongside the preservation of the country's natural and cultural heritage.

He said technology and AI can level the playing field for small and medium-sized tourism businesses, strengthening marketing, reservations and customer service, and helping enterprises such as lodges in the Rupununi and community tourism initiatives in the interior reach global markets.

His observations come ahead of Guyana's first hosting of the Caribbean Tourism Organization's State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), running October 5-9 under the theme "Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive." THAG is proud to stand with the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry, the Guyana Tourism Authority and the Caribbean Tourism Organization in welcoming Caribbean and international tourism leaders to Georgetown for discussions on technology, innovation and tourism data, Ramkumar said.

He said the next generation of tourism workers will face careers increasingly intersecting with AI, data analytics, digital marketing and experience design — and that the industry's responsibility is to prepare young people not just to participate in that future, but to lead it.

Ramkumar contended that Guyana's competitiveness will ultimately depend on excellent customer service, reliable infrastructure, financing, skilled people and strong partnerships, alongside the deliberate use of technology to grow the industry.