The Sandals Megafam on Sunday 23 November, ended a series of thirteen mega-familiarisation trips to Grenada.
Starting on 4 September, over 2000 travel agents and tour operators from North America visited the island for the day, for site visits of the newest of the Sandals Resorts International properties, Sandals LaSource Grenada. The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Grenada Airports Authority (GAA) enhanced the six-hour visit with a fair at the new departure lounge of the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA).
Famtrip participants were able to taste and experience Grenadian culture. They were greeted by Bélè dancers and guava cheese from the GTA. Sample elements of carnival masquerade and the sounds of the steel pan were also showcased. The departure lounge was transformed with life-sized imagery of the Underwater Sculpture Park, a complete floral garden, and a market scene showing all the local fruits, vegetables and spices. Stalls selling and showcasing locally made jewellery, chocolates, and crafts added to the duty free shopping experience already available at the MBIA.
Shop-clerks noted that the Megafam brought much needed revenue in a period that is usually slow for business on the airport. Local designers and craft artisans were grateful for the marketing exposure and the opportunity to network with industry professionals.
The Grenada Tourism Authority recorded increased interaction on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and the www.puregrenada.com website as a result of the visits. The famtrips afforded GTA destination marketing and deep connections with agencies in major cities: Boston, New York, Newark, Rochester, Fort Lauderdale, Montreal, Atlanta, Orlando, Houston, Nashville, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Toronto. Travel agents and tour operators experience the tourism product, and then sell packages to their clients.
“Sandals sells quality experiences through its connection with major tour companies and travel agencies from our major source markets. We will certainly continue the partnership with Sandals LaSource Grenada and the GAA, as the marketing benefit of these famtrips is invaluable,” said Mr. Rudy Grant, CEO of the GTA.
The Grenada Tourism Authority extends gratitude to all who made the megafam trips successful, adding value to the experience of Pure Grenada – The Spice of the Caribbean.
