Guyanese entrepreneur Wilfred Brandford.

Choice Hotels International will debut in Guyana with its upscale Ascend Hotel Collection in early 2013, the global lodging company announced. Construction on a boutique 25-room member hotel in central Georgetown has also begun.

Guyana is a member of CARICOM and hosts several international organizations, including the CARICOM Secretariat and several United Nations agencies. The new hotel will be located within close proximity to several global agencies and is only a few blocks from downtown.

The Guyana hotel – to be called The Opus – will offer the same services as Ascend and will feature 23 standard guest rooms, two executive rooms, a restaurant and bar and small meeting room facilities.

Local entrepreneur Wilfred Brandford, who owns the new hotel, believes the relationship with Choice Hotels will help elevate Guyana’s image in the global marketplace.

“Guyana is an exceptional destination with much to offer the business traveler, the eco tourist and those who are visiting friends and family,” Brandford said.

Choice Hotels, www.choicehotels.com