LAUSR

Purpose This paper aims to provide answers to the strategic question: “What innovative strategies are needed to develop tourism in Guyana for 2025?”. It captures the essence of scholarly contributions made by experts and provides a concluding summary to WHATT theme issue on tourism in Guyana. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws from concepts, suggestions and solutions written by authors of seven proceeding papers. These authors cumulatively have valuable and diverse experience in managing, operating and teaching many key aspects of tourism industry. This paper presents summaries responding to seven questions on the following topics: understanding past tourism in Guyana; tourism policy and the path to sustainable tourism development; development of community-based tourism (CBT); impact in tourism from entrepreneurship ecosystem; strategies for boosting travel to Guyana from diasporic areas; justification for including Jonestown as part of dark tourism; and human resource development for tourism and hospitality. Findings In conclusion, a “Vision 2025 tool box for tourism in Guyana” concept is presented. Several specific recommendations related to tourism in Guyana are made. Practical implications As this paper is a combination of views from seven papers, there is no common conclusion. For further analysis, it is recommended that relevant papers of this theme issue be reviewed. Originality/value Readers who are interested in tourism in Guyana would benefit from this paper.