With new hotels, increased airlift and the return of cruises and several popular events, Grenada’s tourism officials predict healthy growth in arrivals this year.
Travel advisors will play an especially important role in that growth, thanks in part to a new travel advisor specialist program that launched in January. In this interview, Christine Noel-Horsford, the Grenada Tourism Authority’s director of sales and marketing, USA, explains why the forecast for the so-called “spice island” is so bright.
What are some of the biggest indicators of tourism recovery for Grenada?
Air connectivity is back to pre-pandemic levels, and we’re seeing new hospitality developments coming to fruition. We received our first cruise passengers in November, and those figures increased in December. Another indicator that we’re headed in a positive direction is the arrival figures from our largest source market, the U.S., which saw a 31% increase.
It sounds like Grenada is experiencing a good year so far.
2022 is off to a great start. Our travel advisors are reporting strong interest in the destination, a number of our festivals are coming back, and the developments on the horizon are very exciting. One of the signs of recovery heading in a positive direction is the roster of impressive sailing events the destination has hosted recently.
We developed this program because we recognize the crucial role of the travel advisor in the survival of our tourism industry.
When we look at our increases from April to December 2021 in stayovers and yachting, the data shows we’re on the path to positive growth for 2022.
What kind of hotel developments are in the works?
From a hotel perspective, we’re excited about several developments in the pipeline, including the Levera Nature & Beach Resort,Six Senses at La Sagesse, and InterContinental Grenada. Additionally, construction has begun on the second Silversands-branded resort at Portici Beach, and an Intercontinental-branded hotel in the parish of St. David is expected to break ground this year.
In addition, Grenada just launched a special program, Simple Stays, to showcase the variety of boutique hotels and villas in Grenada [and sister islands] Carriacou and Petite Martinique that provide an authentic, bespoke experience for visitors. These properties offer affordable accommodations, so travelers on any budget can experience an intimate and quality Caribbean escape, and visitors to these properties will be able to take advantage of special discounts to attractions.
What else is new in Grenada?
We are also very excited to announce a new voluntourism program that will encompass experiences for visitors interested in fully immersing themselves with the culture and engaging with the local community. As for new attractions, we have several new river-based experiences, namely bamboo river rafting and Riverlands Cottage in the parish of St. Andrew. In Carriacou, a new hiking and heritage trail has opened at Limlair.
As festivals and public gatherings come back, we have two that are popular with visitors and will undoubtedly be a draw. The Grenada Chocolate Festival is coming back (from May 13-18), as well as the inaugural Dive and Conservation Festival (from May 18-23).
What types of travelers are most attracted to Grenada today?
Grenada is a great destination because it has a variety of offerings appealing to diverse travelers. We have some of the best, high-end luxury properties and a myriad of boutique and villa options for those seeking an authentic, budget-friendly escape.
Across the board, however, I would say many of our visitors come for our unique water and marine offerings — sailing, yachting, driving, etc. Carriacou and Petite Martinique appeal to those looking to escape the big cities to a destination where they literally can have a beach to themselves. For the nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts, the destination’s topography offers lush, verdant forests for exploring as well as [opportunities for] responsible travel.
What makes Grenada stand apart from other Caribbean destinations?
Grenada is a tri-island destination, and the ability to experience all three [islands] and hop between Carriacou and Petite Martinique is an amazing value proposition. Each island offers three completely different experiences, and together they deliver a slice of paradise not easily duplicated anywhere else in the Caribbean.
Along with its white-sand beaches, mountainous topography and tropical rainforests, Grenada is globally recognized for its marine adventures — boating, yachting, sailing, diving and snorkeling. Recently, Grenada’s iconic Underwater Sculpture Park — [which is] listed as one of National Geographic’s 25 Wonders of the World — was renovated, providing an even more amazing experience to view the diverse marine life.
Last and certainly not least, Grenada is known as the spice of the Caribbean. The spices that are grown from our rich soil and food is woven throughout our culture, traditions and tourism and led to the destination being recently crowned the world’s first Culinary Capital by the World Food Travel Association and voted “Culinary Destination of The Year” by Caribbean Journal in its Annual Caribbean Travel Awards.
Can you tell us more about your new travel advisor program?
Our new Grenada Travel Expert program is an e-learning course that allows travel advisors to familiarize themselves with the destination’s attributes and unique selling points. It contains a wealth of information to help them sell Grenada to clients and will be an excellent tool to aid advisors in increasing their bookings.
We developed this program because we recognize the crucial role of the travel advisor in the survival of our tourism industry. While the internet democratizes access to information, travel advisors weed out the noise and help travelers make informed decisions. As we navigate this pandemic and beyond, they will continue to help Grenada’s tourism recovery by introducing new clientele to our beautiful destination. They will also inform us what people are looking for, which will help us in the creation of new experiences. It’s a symbiotic relationship we cherish and will continue to nurture.
The Details
Grenada Tourism Authority
