After 4 months of operation, the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) is forging ahead with its mandate to market and promote Grenada in a manner designed to increase economic activity and improve the social well-being of our citizens. This objective is being pursued through an agenda that facilitates sustainable development, enhances the visitor experience, and strengthens stakeholder relationships.
The GTA’s marketing strategies are focused on further emphasising our niche markets of diving, yachting, romance, cruise, and adventure. We are pursuing strong partnerships with our travel partners in the regional and international markets, particularly the USA, UK, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Trinidad & Tobago is Grenada’s largest tourism market within the Caribbean, contributing more than 50% of the total regional visitor arrivals. The peak visiting times are July and August, which coincides with our August Carnival festivities. The GTA joins the Spicemas Corporation for the launch of Spicemas in Trinidad on 9 May, 2014. This partnership provides the opportunity for the GTA to assist the Spicemas Corporation with the marketing and promotion of our carnival, while at the same time creating a platform for the GTA to engage the travel trade in Trinidad & Tobago to promote Grenada.
The partnership with Spicemas Corporation is an example of the type of smart partnerships which the GTA is pursuing. The focus on smart partnerships provides the opportunity for the amplification of scarce resources. This is achieved by the GTA intensifying its collaboration with stakeholder partners in such a manner that the utilisation of the partners’ pooled resources provides greater benefits. The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Transatlantic Race, which is being supported by the Grenada Tourism Authority and Camper and Nicholsons Marina, is another example of the type of smart partnerships being pursued by the GTA.
The 3rd Executive Symposium for Innovators in Coastal Tourism is being hosted in Grenada from the 9-11 July this year. This is an important tourism event. A conference of this magnitude supports our vision of pursuing sustainable growth in an environmentally sustainable manner. This Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies) Symposium will attract coastal and marine innovators who are dedicated to sustainable tourism and its implementation strategies.
As the GTA progresses with its tourism mandate there have been some human resource changes. Mr Sheldon Keens-Douglas and Mr Marcus Christopher no longer function in the capacities of Director of Marketing and Marketing Executive II respectively. The GTA wishes to thank Messrs Keens-Douglas and Christopher for the four months they have spent with the organisation, and wishes them the very best in their future endeavours.
The marketing functions at the GTA have been delegated to Mrs Christine Noel-Horsford who is qualified and experienced in the area of tourism management, sales and marketing. Mrs Noel-Horsford spent more than 15 years creating new avenues for the development of Grenada’s tourism industry. She is supported by 8 competent members in the marketing department.
On 2 May, the GTA team was strengthened with the addition of Ms Alison Hall as Quality Assurance Manager and Ms Chrislyn Lashington as Corporate Communications Officer. Ms Hall will be principally involved in licensing tourism enterprises and will be responsible for the development and enforcement of standards throughout the tourism industry. Ms Lashington will collaborate with the media, our stakeholder partners, and execute an integrated internal and external communications strategy.
Over the next few weeks and months, the GTA looks forward to continuing its work and to report on its stewardship to the people of Grenada. The Grenada Tourism Authority continues to progress with its commitment to enhance and promote our tourism product for the social, cultural, and economic well-being of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique.
