Grenada will be observing Tourism Awareness week from 24 November to 01 December 2013 under the theme “Repositioning Tourism for Greater sustainability”.
Tourism Minister Alexandra Otway-Noel in an address to commemorate November at Tourism Awareness Month, and in particular 06 November as Tourism Awareness Day at the recommendation of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, said that Grenada is committed to create the enabling environment where nationals can focus on how they can contribute and participate in the development of the industry.
“We must recognize that as we seek to build this industry, we are required to have everyone prepared for the job opportunities that will become available in the process,” said Minister Otway-Noel.
“So today, as we commemorate Caribbean Tourism Day, and as we look towards the programme of activities for Tourism Week, I am pleased to emphasize the fact that the core activities for the week’s observance involves the use of educational programmes to encourage greater participation among various communities in the thrust to bring more benefits to Grenadians of all walks of life,” she elaborated.
Using the address to express a few thoughts about the cruise ship season which began last Wednesday with the arrival of the Celebrity Summit, she said that the Ministry and Board of Tourism were actively involved in initiatives to improve the quality of experiences that visitors can enjoy during their brief visit to our shores.
“We have worked to ensure that practices that are deemed detrimental to the image of Grenada as a cruise ship and stayover destination are eradicated. Since the Grand Anse Beach has been acknowledged and recognized as the nucleus for measuring the level of satisfaction that visitors attribute to Grenada, we have targeted the beach cleaners and security personnel to increase their level of understanding of the workings of the industry, and the important role that they are required to play,” she said.
Recognizing that safety and security is a key attribute of the industry’s competitiveness, the Tourism Minister said that the relevant stakeholders have been working closely with the Royal Grenada Police Force to deploy relevant resources at remote and highly frequented attractions.
“Just before the start of the season, we were able to mobilize the gathering of service providers and stakeholders to interact with the Police regarding the strategies being employed to put structures in place pertaining to the safety and security of establishments, sites and the island as a whole,” she said.
by Linda Straker
