The following is a message from Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture Dr Clarice Modeste-Curwen in observance of Tourism Awareness Month.
The recent devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria are stark reminders of the ever-changing environment we live in. Climate change is evident as storms become stronger and more frequent, with experts saying this phenomenon is a direct result of human activity. Our brothers and sisters in the Northern Caribbean have begun the arduous task of rebuilding and indeed Pure Grenada remembers this all too well when we dealt with a similar task in 2004 after Hurricane Ivan.
The tourism industry is crucial to our economies, providing millions of dollars in revenue and a significant number of jobs. However, we have seen how vulnerable this industry is. Therefore, the challenge for this generation is to make smart choices to protect and preserve the natural assets that make this country such a great destination; our environment.
Grenada has long been lauded for its natural beauty and lush vegetation; from our rolling hills to our gorgeous waterfalls and pristine beaches. However, this natural beauty and Grenada’s purity is under threat by the littering of our beautiful nation. We all need to ensure that Grenada’s natural beauty is sustained for future generations. Let our human activity enhance our natural environment, rather than destroy it.
For this year’s observance of Tourism Awareness month in Pure Grenada, we have chosen the theme, ‘Sustainable Tourism: Our path to a Pure Grenada.’ This theme reminds us that through tourism we can advocate and contribute to actions that support the sustainable development of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Activities for this month include the launch of a Tourism Awareness Campaign on 15 November, the launch of an Underwater Sculpture Park Design Competition, the launch of a Tourism Booklet for primary schools and engagement of the general public through the media.
The Tourism Awareness Campaign will be a 3-pronged programme, aimed at bringing sustainable development issues to the forefront. This campaign will focus on careers in tourism, discovering Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique and preserving our natural environment. As the programme is rolled out, we look forward to you joining us on the path to creating and maintaining a truly ‘Pure Grenada.’
