by Linda Straker
- Agreement between LIAT and Condor airlines to facilitate German visitors to Grenada
- Tagging of luggage straight to Grenada from Germany
- Direct air connectivity from Frankfurt to benefit German, Continental European and China markets
During the summer months of 2019 Grenada is expected to benefit from an agreement between LIAT and Condor airlines that will see Germany visitors arriving in Grenada through Barbados.
This is one of the outcomes of recent negotiations during the 2019 IBT Travel and Trade show which was held in Berlin from 6-10 March and was attended by Grenada and all other Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) members.
Francine Stewart, Grenada Tourism Authority, Marketing Manager said that agreement will provide for Grenada to engage in more marketing of the island’s summer festivals.
“The new inter-airline agreement between Condor and LIAT will allow for a seamless connection via Barbados in the summer months. This connection will allow the GTA to market Grenada’s authentic festivals during the summer months such as Spicemas,” she said, explaining that one of the benefits will be tagging of luggage straight to Grenada from Germany.
Expressing her elation at the positive effect the agreement will have on Grenada, Tourism Minister Clarice Modeste reiterated the importance of direct air connectivity from Frankfurt to Grenada. “It’s not only for the German and Continental European markets but from as far away as China as well,” she said.
Patricia Maher, Chief Executive Officer of the GTA said: “The German market has tremendous potential considering Germany is the largest national economy in Europe and the Germans are world travel champions. Grenada offers the perfect mix of white sandy beaches and natural rain forest to rich cultural heritage and tasty cuisine to meet the needs of the modern German traveller.”
ITB Berlin is the world’s leading travel trade show and in 2019 Team Grenada had its own Pure Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean themed stand thanks to the generous support of Silversands Grenada.
A news release from the GTA said that Dr Modeste led the delegation from the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) including CEO Patricia Maher, Marketing Manager Francine Stewart and Marketing Executive Shanai St Bernard. The GTA Representatives, Discover the World in Germany headed by Margit Schwarz consulted with the tour operators and Condor Airline and arranged the full appointment schedule.
“Representatives from Silversands Grenada, Spice Island Beach Resort & Blue Horizons Garden Resort, Laluna, Mount Edgecombe and St James Travel & Tours joined the GTA on the stand and were delighted with the ease of doing business during the show,” said the release.
Grenada received more than 500,000 visitors in 2018 but there was a slight decline in German visitors in 2018 when compared to the 2017 figures. In 2017 there were 2,499 visitors and in 2018 there were 2,457. Condor offers a seasonal weekly flight to Grenada during the winter season.
However, the news release from GTA said that Tour Operator DerTour reported 100% growth in room nights for the 2018/2019 winter season and Condor Airline is reporting improved seat load factors for the period November 2018 to April 2019.
