BusinessGrenada.com BusinessGrenada2019-2020 Issue 8 | Page 30

DIGITAL MARKETING On the digital front, the GTA launched its Summer campaign #NextStopGrenada. It was designed to provide visitors with true value for money and the chance to experience all the destination has to offer. From May 1 to October 31, Grenada’s extended Summer season provided visitors with the opportunity to enjoy up to a 50% discount on hotel rates, take advantage of room upgrades, complimentary massages, children discounts, complimentary yoga classes, tour discounts and more. Increased air access to Grenada was an added bonus for Summer as airline partners announced a number of additional flights to the destination from John F. Kennedy International in New York, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International in the USA and Toronto Pearson International in Canada. The increased airlift for summer including last minute flights from LIAT that were fully booked in days, boosted arrival numbers for the festival. Arrivals surpassed all expectations with a 24.9% increase to 12,379 visitors compared to 9,911 in 2017. 30 INCREASED WINTER AIRLIFT With the Winter season around the corner, Pure Grenada has more options to escape the cold weather with a number of newly announced flights From December 22 through March 30, American Airlines is adding an additional “ seasonal flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport every Saturday with Delta Airlines. Jetblue also continues its daily flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport and offers its “Premium Mint” service on Saturdays. TOURISM IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS The first initiative was a frontline customer service training workshop facilitated by Aquila Tours Inc. the official training partner of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). “ and greet event at the Melville Street Cruise Terminal in which he and his delegation were welcomed by dancers in traditional wear, Moko Jumbies and steel pan music. His experience was surpassed with tastings of Grenada’s signature chocolate and rum product offerings. The event was attended by stakeholders in the cruise industry including the Ministry of Tourism, Grenada Ports Authority, Tour Operators, Water taxi Operators, Taxi Drivers among others. flight to its schedule, departing Miami International Airport on Saturdays at 9.40am and arriving at Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport at 2.23pm. This new flight will be in addition to the later flight that departs Miami at 10.40am, which will allow seamless connections from other cities. Starting December 18, Grenada will have three direct flights per week with Air Canada Rouge from Toronto Pearson International Airport on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The destination continues to offer visitors from North America non-stop www.businessgrenada.com To support its programmes and overall marketing of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, the GTA continues to implement its Tourism Awareness Campaign under the theme, ‘Tourism is Everybody’s Business.”All schools in the tri-island state have copies of the GTA produced ‘Tourism and Me Booklet’ designed to teach grade 4 students about tourism and the role it plays in their lives. Once complete, the students will take a pledge to become ambassadors for their country. In addition, the GTA has created a microsite www.puregrenada.com/ tacampaign which citizens can visit as a one stop shop for general information on the tourism industry. The site is complete with statistics, a digital version of the “Tourism and Me Booklet”, audio messages on various aspects of tourism and creative posters which provoke thought about tourism and the environment. All are encouraged to visit the site and share with family, friends and on social media. The GTA wishes to encourage all stakeholders to continue to work together to create memorable experiences for visitors and fellow citizens. BG www.businessgrenada.com 31