Three Islands, One Destination. Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique make up the islands of Grenada, a regenerative geo tourism destination with lush tropical rainforest, exotic flora and fauna, waterfalls, crater lakes, Sulphur Springs and beautiful waves which are perfect for snorkeling, and perfect and intriguing wreck dives.
It'll be easier for Canadians to get there this winter, as Air Canada resumes flights November 3, with Sunwing following November 6.
Tourism is vital to smaller destinations, as is being sustainable, Grenada Tourism Authority CEO Petra Roach told the Caribbean Tourism Organization conference, held in the Cayman Islands in September.
"I think one of the important things for us as a destination is that ultimately, when you're a small destination, with a population of 110,000, it's very important that your major economic catalyst has to engage each and every person on island.
Because ultimately, what we're promoting are our natural resources. And if we don't take care of them, then that means that we haven't got a product that we can be marketing. So again, it starts with the locals and making sure that we have a clean and green environment for us to enjoy."
Grenada is putting their money where their mouth is so to speak, winning the Destination Resillience Award at CHTA's (Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association) Caribbean Travel Forum in Puerto Rico last month. The Destination Resilience Award recognized the destinations that used innovative, unique, and timely responses to the pandemic that led to their recovery while maintaining lives and livelihoods.
Roach, in commenting on the award, said "We are extremely proud that Grenada was recognized for our hard work and innovation in mitigating the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. All our partners worked tirelessly, day and night, to maintain lives and livelihoods and ensure our destination's recovery."
Grenada dropped its vaccine mandates and testing requirements earlier this year. 14% of Grenada's GDP comes from tourism, which Roach says was why it was very important to get that airlift back into play. Canada was a bit of a struggle she admits, due to our lag in dropping COVID travel requirements and lack of direct flights, but there is still a desire to visit.
"In spite of the fact that we haven't got that direct capacity at the minute, Canada still has a presence with 4%. So that means in terms of the brand equity that we've got in Canada, there is a real connection with Grenada, and people are looking to take an inconvenient route to get there."
We want people who are responsible global citizens to be coming, we want to challenge conversations, where we are talking about how we can make a difference. I think COVID has taught us that we cannot be complacent; we have to stand up and be counted in a very, progressive and intentional way."
Grenada can be referred to as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, with farm/sea to table a focus across the islands. Festivals are also starting again, as culture and heritage is at the core of everything the tourism board is doing.
Roach says a key goal for 2023 in Canada is to work with agents on training and incentives.
"Our challenge was when airlines consolidated their flights, and we lost direct capacity. But traditionally, we've had a great relationship with the Canadian market. They are sort of the baby boomers. They're coming not for one week - they're coming for three and four weeks.
And some of them have even taken properties for six month periods during the winter periods. We love the Canadians."
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