Making the most of Grenada’s natural tourism resources – Travel Weekly
Grenada does not have to contrive attractions or experiences for visitors, according to Petra Roach, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority.
“We already have them,” Roach said. “We want to share them. We want our visitors to experience our land, our people, our local markets, our waters — and not just our resorts. Grenada has so much potential, and we must exploit it. It’s a travesty for Grenadians if we don’t.”
A series of new programs that involve interactions between Grenadians and visitors is set to launch shortly. The Flavors of Grenada Culinary Camp, for example, is targeted at local children as well as visiting kids.
“Kids will go to farms, learn about the crops grown and where food comes from, take a cooking class from one of our island chefs and then enjoy what they have made and prepared,” Roach said.
The sessions will be half day and range in price from $40 or $50 for island visitors; the plan is to have a minimal or no charge for local children. Other options, in addition to the farm and cooking sessions, will involve trips to the mangroves, swim excursions, exploring the fauna and flora, visits to the Rasta communities, cocoa farms and sugar cane fields.
“There’s a big connection between the agricultural sector and the tourism sector on Grenada, and we want our visitors to feel this connection,” Roach said. “Local guides will accompany each group. They’ve been creative with their suggestions on where to go and what to do.”
Covid has presented challenges, according to Roach. Grenada was one of the first destinations to require vaccinations of its adult visitors. In addition, a negative Covid test prior to travel, another upon arrival followed by a 48-hour quarantine pending the test result, is required.
“We’re a small country made up of the islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique with a population of 112,000. We take our health and safety very seriously, both for us and for our visitors,” Roach said.
Less than 25% of the entire population is fully vaccinated, although close to 80% of the hospitality workers have been jabbed as part of Grenada’s Pure Safe Travel health and safety protocols.
A recent spike in cases led to a delay in school reopenings, the move to limit restaurants to takeout services only and a curfew from midnight to 5 a.m., according to NowGrenada.com.
Looking ahead to the Festive Season, the peak winter season, Roach said that the forecasts are strong due in part to the expanded airlift of American and JetBlue from key U.S. gateways.
Grenada’s room inventory totals approximately 2,400 rooms, with two more resorts joining the lineup this fall.
The all-inclusive Royalton Grenada resort, a member of the Royalton Luxury Resorts’ portfolio, reopens Oct. 1 with 269 guestrooms, reservation-free dining at the a la carte restaurants and an introductory offer that starts at $168 per person, per night, double through Oct. 31.
Also on Oct. 1, the 64-suite, all-inclusive Spice Island Beach Resort will welcome guests. Travel advisors can earn 15% commission on client reservations made by advisors through Dec. 20, 2021, for stays through Dec. 20, 2022.