Guyana in Bloom: Highlights from the THAG President’s Awards Dinner & Auction 2025
It was lights, camera, action at the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President’s Awards Dinner & Auction 2025—a dazzling night of glamour, gratitude, and Guyanese pride.
Held under the radiant theme “Guyana in Bloom: 25 Years of Discovery – Telling Our Story Through the Pages of Explore Guyana”, the event transformed the Guyana Marriott Hotel into a glittering stage for the visionaries shaping the nation’s tourism and hospitality landscape.
🌟 Red Carpet Vibes & Tourism Royalty
The soirée was a high-style affair that drew the crème de la crème of Guyana’s tourism sector. From veteran hoteliers and celebrity chefs to culture champions and community leaders, the evening brought together the movers and shakers of the industry.
Guests made their red-carpet entrances in elegant evening wear, cameras flashed, and the cocktail hour buzzed with laughter, champagne toasts, and new business connections.
But the spotlight wasn’t only on the guests. The event also launched the 25th edition of Explore Guyana magazine—now sleek, interactive, and digital. Available at exploreguyana.org, this milestone publication offers the world a front-row seat to Guyana’s wonders.
🏆 From Heartfelt Cheers to Heavyweight Honours
The awards segment delivered some of the most emotional and inspiring moments of the night.
Hotel of the Year: Cara Lodge – the gold standard for old-world charm and warm hospitality.
Restaurant of the Year: Nikkei Guyana – showcasing bold Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine in Georgetown.
Resort/Lodge of the Year: Bimichi Eco Lodge – a model of sustainable tourism rooted in Indigenous culture.
Tour Operators of the Year: Wilderness Explorers & Evergreen Adventures – each spotlighting different facets of Guyana’s untamed beauty.
Tour Guide of the Year: Malcom Rhodius – whose storytelling and grassroots charm rose from Bartica to national recognition.
🚀 The New Guard & Game-Changers
Two new categories shook up the awards with fresh energy:
Customer Service Excellence: The Balance – legendary for flawless event execution.
Tourism Impact (Culture, Sport & Entertainment): Rupununi Rodeo – proving that dust, adrenaline, and tradition create powerful tourism branding.
Best Street Food: Exclusive Eggball – because no Guyanese celebration is complete without pepper sauce and that signature crisp crust.
🌿 Living Legends Take the Stage
The night’s emotional peak came with standing ovations for the THAG Hall of Fame inductees, Andrea and Salvador de Caires. Their decades of work empowering Indigenous communities and championing sustainable travel cemented their place as icons of responsible tourism.
Meanwhile, Candace Phillips received the Tourism Angel Award, a long-overdue recognition for her behind-the-scenes brilliance at the Guyana Tourism Authority.
🎶 President’s Picks – Icons & Innovators
In a star-struck moment, legendary musician Eddy Grant was named a President’s Choice Awardee. While unable to attend, his daughter Maria Grant-Kellman accepted on his behalf, honoring his lifelong love for Guyana.
Joining him was Navin Roopnarine of Adventure Guianas, whose Indigenous-led lodges and community-driven tourism model have reshaped Guyana’s adventure travel industry.
🌺 A Night to Remember, A Future in Bloom
The 2025 President’s Awards wasn’t just an evening of recognition—it was a celebration of transformation. With the digital launch of Explore Guyana, the introduction of new awards, and the celebration of both rising and established stars, THAG boldly declared that Guyana is blooming.
As the final glasses clinked and the last camera flashes faded, one thing was clear: this was more than just an anniversary. “Guyana in Bloom” isn’t just a theme—it’s a movement. And with 25 years of discovery behind us, the journey is only just beginning.