Tourism
Tourism
The three islands of Grenada attract 385,000 visitors per year for leisure, business, study, weddings and honeymoons. Tourism is a year-round business that relies on natural, manmade and human resources to create an experience that contributes EC $ 338M annually to the economy. Pictureperfect views, tasty treats, pulsating rhythms, great conversations, and a fascinating heritage are big business for Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique.
The United States of America continues to be the largest source market for tourists. In June 2015, the Grenada Tourism Authority( GTA) welcomed Delta Airlines’ Atlanta service and for the very first time, JetBlue Airways with its New York service. As a result of this additional airlift, in July, there were over a thousand more Americans visiting the tri-island state than in July 2014. The two-week period surrounding the climax of Spicemas saw about 8,000 persons travelling to experience the second of two annual carnivals, an increase of 11.9 % from 2014.
November marked the return of Condor Airlines’ seasonal flight service from Germany and the first nonstop flight from Caracas, Venezuela in 10 years provided by Conviasa. The cruise sector has also seen improvements with a total of 232 cruise calls for the season beginning September 2015 and ending May 2016. This winter cruise season expects up to 344,000 passengers and more than 10( ten) inaugural cruise calls to ports in Grenada and Carriacou.
During the year, the GTA and its tourism stakeholders engaged in direct public relations in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Trinidad & Tobago through destination road shows, travel agent seminars & webinars, and media appearances. Some memorable events included April’ s travel agent and consumer show in Trinidad; June’ s 3-county road show in London; and September’ s sales calls to travel agents and tour operators in Ontario, Canada.
Digital marketing is still a mainstay in the
Stayover Arrival
Performance by Market
GTA’ s marketing strategies. Captivating content online featuring Grenadian lifestyle and attractions influences potential travellers to book. The destination, Pure Grenada – the Spice of the Caribbean has an online presence
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2016 promises continued growth and development for the tourism sector. There is an anticipated increase in cruise business, new airlift from Panama, and further development of sites and attractions
“ with a quality following of 30,000 on social media( Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) and a website that guides travellers on events and activities in Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique.
In 2015, the Grenada Tourism Authority sought to develop the skillsets within tourism enterprises at Grand Anse beach, the most visited attraction in Grenada. Eighty( 80) entrepreneurs of the Grand Anse Spice and Craft Market and beach zone received a nine-module training programme that focused on communication skills, selfmanagement, decision-making, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, work ethics and more. While eleven( 11) water sports operators of Grand Anse developed skills in first aid response and CPR administration for infants and adults; bandaging wounds; and emergence care. Twenty( 20) craft-makers partook in a regional craft enhancement and business support training that aimed to develop and diversify the craft and gift sectors.
The directors, management and staff of the Grenada Tourism Authority have a vested interest in cultivating a tourism culture in Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique. This was exemplified in the hosting of the GTA’ s very first open day in observance of Caribbean Tourism Month in November and the various career presentations to primary and secondary school students throughout the year. During tourism month, the GTA launched its Pure Talk video series that builds awareness of the tourism sector that can be seen on local television stations and on the GTA’ s Facebook and YouTube pages.
2016 promises continued growth and development for the tourism sector. There is an anticipated increase in cruise business, new airlift from Panama, and further development of sites and attractions. The first ever Pure Grenada Music Festival on the 5th to 10th April 2016 promises to attract much attention and become a staple tourism product for the Spice Isle. Sport fanatics can also expect an exciting year with the staging of the CONCACAF Under-17 Women’ s Championship and 45th Carifta Games in March 2016.
The Grenada Tourism Authority continues to market and promote Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique as the premier tropical, geotourism destination.
BG
www. businessgrenada. com 39