AGP Executive Report

Air Connectivity: Fly Always is slated to link Paramaribo with Santo Domingo this winter, adding a new route as Dominican airports prepare for a 4.9% rise in international seats. Sustainable Tourism: President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons says Suriname’s energy boom should support tourism and other industries; she also plans stronger river protections to curb mining pollution, including around the Upper Suriname River, where tourism is a key livelihood. Heritage Travel: A Surinamese family has travelled to India to trace ancestors who left for Paramaribo in 1894, combining historical records and DNA testing to reconnect with relatives. Regional Access: Guyana’s president is urging Caribbean governments to speed up digital visa processing and improve regional connections, arguing that cumbersome travel procedures hold back tourism and business.

Tourism and Diversification: President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons says Suriname should use energy-sector growth to build other industries, including sustainable tourism, rather than rely on resource extraction. Regional Travel: Guyana’s president is urging faster digital visa processing and stronger transport links, arguing that travel barriers hold back Caribbean tourism and regional connections. Nature Tourism: Suriname plans stronger river protections against mining pollution, including around the Upper Suriname River, where tourism is a major source of income. Sports Tourism: A 36-member Guyanese golf team is heading to Paramaribo for the DSB Suriname Invitational, bringing regional visitors for the tournament.

Travel Health: Barbados officials are warning travellers not to bring poultry, live birds or meat without a permit, following a bird-flu outbreak in Suriname. Regional Access: Guyana’s president renewed calls for faster digital visa processing, noting that some travellers must go to Suriname for European visa biometrics; easier procedures could support regional travel and tourism. Sports Tourism: A 36-member Lusignan Golf Club team heads to Paramaribo later this month for the DSB Suriname Invitational, led by defending champion Avinash Persaud. Hinterland Protection: President Jennifer Simons says new rules are planned to protect rivers from mining pollution, citing the Upper Suriname River, where tourism is a major source of income.

Regional Travel: Guyana’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali renewed calls for faster, digital visa processing, saying Caribbean travellers sometimes have to go to Suriname or Trinidad for European visa biometrics. The EU ambassador says work is underway to make Schengen travel easier for Guyanese, with results expected soon. Golf Tourism: Thirty-six golfers from Guyana’s Lusignan Golf Club are heading to Paramaribo for the DSB Suriname Invitational later this month. Defending champions Avinash and Patanjilee Persaud are among the returning contenders. River Protection: President Jennifer Simons plans new rules to protect rivers from mining pollution, including waterways connected to tourism areas such as the Upper Suriname River. She says the aim is to set in advance where mining can take place.

Sports Tourism: A 36-member Guyanese golf team is heading to Paramaribo later this month for the DSB Suriname Invitational, including several past champions seeking to defend their titles. Nature and Tourism: President Jennifer Simons says new rules will protect rivers from mining pollution, including waterways linked to the Upper Suriname River, where tourism is a key source of income. Regional Travel: Guyana’s president is urging faster digital visa processing, noting some Caribbean travelers must go to Suriname or Trinidad for European visa appointments. Easier movement, he argues, would support tourism and regional ties.

Regional Travel: Guyana’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali renewed calls for faster digital visa processing and better Caribbean transport links, saying travellers sometimes must go to Suriname or Trinidad for European visa biometrics. The push could ease travel and support a more connected regional tourism market. Golf Tourism: A 36-member Lusignan Golf Club team is heading to Paramaribo later this month for the DSB Suriname Invitational, bringing defending champions and past winners to compete across several divisions. River Protection: President Jennifer Simons says new rules are being prepared to protect rivers from gold-mining pollution, including waterways linked to the Upper Suriname River, where tourism is a major source of income.

Regional Travel: Guyana’s president is urging faster digital visa processing across the Caribbean, noting that some travellers must go to Suriname or Trinidad and Tobago for European visa biometrics. He says lengthy procedures hinder tourism and regional connections. Golf Tourism: A 36-member Lusignan Golf Club team will travel to Paramaribo for this month’s DSB Suriname Invitational, bringing defending champions and past winners. Sports Travel: Suriname’s U15 girls will face the British Virgin Islands in an international football tournament in Aruba on October 15. River Protection: President Jennifer Simons plans measures to protect rivers from gold-mining pollution, including waterways linked to the Upper Suriname River, where tourism is a major source of income.

Golf Tourism: A 36-member Lusignan Golf Club team is heading to Paramaribo for this month’s DSB Suriname Invitational. Defending champions Avinash Persaud and Patanjilee Persaud lead the challenge, bringing regional visitors to the tournament. River Protection: President Jennifer Simons says new rules will protect rivers from gold-mining pollution. The Upper Suriname River is a priority, where tourism is a key source of income for hinterland communities. Easier Regional Travel: The EU says it is working to ease Schengen visa access for Guyanese, who have faced lengthy procedures and travel to Suriname or Trinidad for biometrics. Easier movement could support tourism and regional connections.

Golf Tourism: A 36-member Lusignan Golf Club team is heading to Paramaribo for the 2026 DSB Suriname Invitational, including defending champions Avinash and Patanjilee Persaud. Regional Travel: The EU says it is working to ease Schengen visa hurdles for Guyanese, who may have to travel to Suriname for biometric appointments; the EU ambassador says tangible progress could come soon. River Protection: President Jennifer Simons plans rules to protect rivers from gold-mining pollution, citing the Upper Suriname River, where tourism is a key source of income. Lawmakers have also called for an investigation and temporary halt to mining near Kwakoegron over environmental and permitting concerns.

Visa Access: The EU says it is working to ease Schengen visa hurdles for Guyanese, after regional leaders warned that biometric appointments and travel delays are holding back tourism and business. River Protection: Suriname plans new rules to protect rivers from gold-mining pollution, including waterways connected to the Upper Suriname River, where tourism is a key source of income. Mining Oversight: Suriname lawmakers want an investigation and temporary halt to mining near Kwakoegron over concerns about permits, cyanide use and environmental risks. Cross-Border Tourism: Guyana’s motorsport club hopes a planned Berbice drag-racing hub will draw drivers and fans from Suriname, bringing more visitors to local hotels and businesses. Economic Outlook: The World Bank forecasts Suriname’s economy to grow 3.9% in 2026, with oil-driven expansion contrasting with a more moderate outlook for tourism-dependent Caribbean economies.

River Protection: President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons says two decrees are being prepared to protect waterways from gold-mining pollution, including streams linked to the Upper Suriname River, where tourism is a key livelihood. Mining Oversight: Surinamese lawmakers are calling for an investigation and temporary halt to mining near Kwakoegron, citing extensive excavation and possible cyanide use—concerns for nearby communities and ecosystems. Regional Tourism: At a Caribbean tourism conference, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali urged faster digital visas and stronger transport links to make regional travel easier. Cross-Border Draw: Guyana’s motor racing club wants a permanent Berbice drag strip and expects Surinamese racers and supporters; organizers say race weekends have filled local hotels and boosted businesses.

River Protection: President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons expects two decrees to help protect rivers from gold-mining pollution. The Upper Suriname River is a priority, as tourism is a major source of income there and connected waterways could carry contamination. Mining Oversight: Two lawmakers are seeking an investigation and temporary halt to mining near Kwakoegron, citing extensive excavation and concerns about possible cyanide use and pollution. Cross-Border Tourism: Guyana’s motor racing club hopes a planned drag-racing hub in Berbice will attract Surinamese drivers and supporters; past events have filled local hotels and brought business to food vendors. Regional Connections: A new Guyana–France air agreement could enable direct Georgetown–Cayenne flights, while Guyana’s president is urging digital visa processing and better transport links to make Caribbean travel easier.

Suriname’s River Tourism: President Jennifer Simons says two decrees are being prepared to protect rivers from gold-mining pollution. She cited the Upper Suriname River, where tourism is a major source of income, and said protections must also cover connected waterways. Cross-Border Attractions: Guyana’s motor-racing club plans a permanent drag strip in Berbice, aiming to draw Surinamese racers and supporters. The next meet is October 11 at Rose Hall Canje Airstrip; organizers say past events filled local hotels and brought business to food outlets. Regional Travel: At the Caribbean tourism conference in Guyana, President Irfaan Ali urged better transport links and faster digital visa processing, arguing easier movement would help visitors travel between destinations. A new Guyana–France air agreement also opens the way for proposed direct flights between Georgetown and Cayenne, which could simplify regional journeys now routed through Suriname.

Visa Access: At the Caribbean tourism conference in Georgetown, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali called for faster digital visa processing, saying some Caribbean travelers must go to Suriname or Trinidad for European visa biometrics and can wait days for appointments. He argued that easier travel would strengthen tourism and regional partnerships. Tourism Connectivity: Ali also urged Caribbean governments to invest in integrated transport and tourism infrastructure, warning that natural attractions alone will not keep the region competitive. New Air Link: A Guyana-France air services agreement could enable at least two weekly direct flights between Georgetown and Cayenne, subject to approvals. The route would replace a journey that can take nearly a day via Suriname and could make travel between the neighboring destinations easier.

Tourism Access: Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali says slow visa processing and the need to travel to Suriname or Trinidad for biometrics are holding back Caribbean tourism, conferences and partnerships. He urged faster digital visas and greater investment in transport and tourism. Regional Air Links: A new Guyana-France aviation agreement paves the way for Trans Guyana Airways to launch at least two weekly non-stop flights between Georgetown and Cayenne, subject to approvals. The service could replace a journey that currently takes close to a day.

Travel Access: Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali urged Caribbean leaders to speed up digital visa processing, saying in-person appointments can force travellers to visit another country, including Suriname, and wait days before travelling. Suriname Offshore: Valaris secured a two-well exploration contract with PETRONAS Suriname Exploration & Production. Drillship VALARIS DS-18 is expected to begin work in the fourth quarter of 2026 for up to seven months. Regional Connections: A new Guyana-France air services agreement could enable at least two weekly direct flights between Georgetown and Cayenne, subject to approvals. The route would replace a lengthy journey that can involve travelling through Suriname.