Grenada is seeking to broaden its appeal beyond the traditional sun-and-sea market, as tourism officials promote the tri-island state’s diverse mix of culture, adventure, wellness, cuisine and festivals to attract more regional visitors.
At a media and travel agent dinner at Divi Southwinds Hotel on Wednesday, Marketing Executive with the Grenada Tourism Authority, Samantha Thomas, said the destination offers a wide range of experiences that set it apart within the Caribbean.
Photo Credit: Kemar Holder
Photo Credit: Kemar Holder
Photo Credit: Kemar Holder
Photo Credit: Kemar Holder
“What makes Grenada the perfect Caribbean destination? The island is rich in history and culture,” Thomas said, noting that Grenada is also known as the “wreck dive capital of the Caribbean”.
She explained that Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique together provide visitors with what she described as “a vacation within a vacation”.
Thomas highlighted the country’s growing reputation for culinary tourism, pointing out that Grenada is home to seven chocolate factories and a variety of food experiences. She also promoted the island’s eco-tourism offerings, including nature trails, wellness activities and marine attractions.
Among its most distinctive experiences is the world’s first underwater sculpture park.
“You don’t have to go to Bali on a 19-hour flight,” she said. “You can literally do that half an hour away. We have the world’s first underwater sculpture park, and that is a bucket list thing that a lot of people want to experience.”
Thomas also drew attention to Grenada’s expanding calendar of events, saying the destination offers much more than its internationally known Spice Mas festival.
For the first time this year, Carriacou hosted a Lobster and Lambi Festival, while Grenada also stages a Dive and Conservation Festival. Later this year, the country will launch its inaugural Grenada Flower Festival, inspired by its success at the Chelsea Flower Show, where it has won 19 gold medals.
“We’ve decided to turn that into a full festival,” Thomas said, adding that it would appeal particularly to visitors interested in floral design, weddings and girls’ trips.
She also promoted the Grenada Diaspora Homecoming event, describing it as similar to Barbados’ We Gatherin’ initiative and aimed at reconnecting Grenadians living overseas.
Charmaine Gibbs of Insights Grenada encouraged travellers to venture beyond the mainland and experience Carriacou.
“No visit to Grenada is complete without experiencing the beautiful and untouched sister island Carriacou.”
Gibbs said regional tourism cooperation was increasingly important, arguing that Caribbean people should take advantage of the unique experiences available within neighbouring islands.
“Now is the time to open our doors to each other regionally,” she said, “allowing fellow islanders the opportunity to experience what many typically will save a lifetime to do, and we have it on our doorsteps.”
(SB)
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