A three-member delegation from the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) led by CEO Mr Rudy Grant promoted travel to Pure Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from 16 to 20 May 2016. The series of sales calls, meetings, and destination training sessions are part of a direct marketing strategy to boost visitor arrivals from Canada, in response to the market’s recent performance.
“At the end of 2015, Canada moved from being our 3rd largest source market to the 4th position, contributing 10% to our stayover market share. The 13% decline in stayover arrivals from Canada in 2015 when compared to 2014, was partly due to the reduction in nonstop flights from Toronto and the economic recession experienced there,” said Mrs Samantha Thomas-Clyne, Research Officer at the GTA.
While negotiations continue between the National Airlift Committee and the airlines companies, the GTA seeks to keep travel to Grenada topical in the minds of Canadian travel agents and potential Canadian visitors.
“Our sales calls have been very productive so far and our destination presentations have been well received. Travel agents are particularly interested in activities and accommodations in Grenada,” commented Ms Renée Goodwin, Marketing Executive at the GTA.
Ms Dawne Francois, GTA’s Director of Sales for Canada, Mr Grant, and Ms Goodwin have already met with 34 travel agencies, presenting updates about travel to Grenada and featuring the unique destination attributes. Agencies included Flight Centre, Marlin Travel, and OK Travel and Tours.
“This has been a productive engagement with travel agents. It has allowed us to have more of our travel partners aware of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique as a tourism destination. We have obtained valuable information from the travel agents which will assist us greatly in our Canada marketing actions,” said Mr Grant on Friday upon completing a meeting with travel agents at Flight Centre.
Over 10,000 Canadians made Grenada their holiday of choice last year, enjoying the sparkling white beaches, adventuring through the tropical rainforest, and diving deep into the colourful marine habitats.
GTA