USTOA will hold the 2027 USTOA Sustainability is Responsibility (SIR) Summit in Guyana from March 7th-10th, 2027. In partnership with Guyana Tourism Authority, USTOA invites its Active and Associate Members to the summit to foster collaborations, participate in cross-sector learning, and continue to set the path for a more responsible future for the travel industry.

The summit will bring member representatives from across the travel industry value chain together for interactive dialogue, educational content, and case study learnings. Our first SIR Summit in 2022 focused on the "why" part of creating a sustainability business case, the 2023 SIR summit, in collaboration with Tourism Cares, focused on the "how", and the 2024, 2025 and 2026 SIR Summits focused on you, our members. To learn more about past USTOA SIR summits, please take a moment to review the past summit executive reports on the SIR Summit information page.

As the state of our world evolves, so does the focus of our SIR Community. Our members' passion for responsible travel drives them to advance their own sustainability strategies in a way that tackles current needs of our industry. You will see these needs addressed throughout the SIR summit as a fresh set of sustainability focus areas.

To be inspired by the beauty of Guyana, we encourage you to watch this short video, made by SIR Champion David DiGregorio!

Sunday optional experiences

• Georgetown City Tour: A vibrant journey through the capital of Guyana, showcasing its rich history and colorful architecture. Highlights include the St. George's Cathedral, one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world, and the bustling Stabroek Market, where visitors can immerse themselves in local culture and cuisine. The tour offers a comprehensive view of the city's colonial past and its dynamic present, making it a captivating experience for history buffs and casual tourists alike.
• Botanical Gardens – birds and manatees (3:45pm-6:00pm): Visiting the Botanical Gardens in Georgetown, Guyana offers a serene escape into lush greenery and vibrant floral displays. One of the highlights of this urban oasis is the opportunity to see manatees gracefully gliding through the garden's ponds, adding a unique and delightful experience to the visit. This tranquil garden, a blend of natural beauty and wildlife, is an ideal spot for relaxation and nature appreciation.
• Demerara River Tour – birding + city (3:45pm-6:30pm): A slow cruise past Georgetown's historic waterfront to the Demerara Harbour Bridge — once the longest floating bridge in the world — ending at a mangrove roost alive with Scarlet Ibis, Snail Kites, Herons, and Egrets at dusk. As the sun sets over the river we will have a cold drink and some snacks (or cutters as we call them here in Guyana) as we enjoy flocks of brilliant Scarlet Ibis, Snail Kites, Herons, and three kinds of Egrets as they fly across the sky and settle into the mangroves for the evening.
• Demerara Rum Tour – birding + city (3:45pm-6:30pm): Private VIP tour of the last remaining rum distillery in Guyana, where ancient wooden stills produce one of the world's most revered spirits. The Heritage Museum, hosted tasting, and DDL's bio-methane and carbon capture systems make this one for the SIR crowd — this is a place doing the work.

Expressions of interest in attending are open to both USTOA Active and Associate Members with a focus on those who play a role in responsible travel initiatives at their companies. This event is designed to bring together a cross-functional representation of the travel industry with the intention of assembling a diverse, comprehensive group to create meaningful outputs not just for those participating, but also the industry at large. More information on the program can be found below.