Grenada Tourism

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GRENADA IS THE PLACE FOR FAMILIES

Kids Stay Free with Grenada’s Summer Kids’ Special

Sue Kauffman

PR Director

Nallacom

St. George’s, Grenada, July 8, 2010 – It’s that time of year again - - time to start thinking about that annual summer family outing. This year, why not take that Caribbean vacation you have been dreaming of and visit the fun and exotic island of Grenada? There's never been a better time for an affordable family escape, as Grenada offers it’s Summer Kids’ Special. Valid from June 1^st through September 30^th, 2010, the Summer Kids’ Promotion welcomes children ages 14 and under to eat, play and stay for free when traveling with an adult.

The promotion is valid for stays at the Cabier Ocean Lodge, the Flamboyant Hotel, Lance aux Epines Cottages, Mt. Cinnamon Resort and the True Blue Bay Resort. The Summer Kids’ Promotion is also honored by such service providers as Aquanauts Grenada, Dive Grenada, Indigo Car rentals, Jessamine Gardens, Seafaris Powerboat Eco-Tour, and Dodgy Dock Restaurant & Bar. Moreover, individual properties/providers may offer further benefits such as free baby-sitting, discounted or free-access to the kid’s club, free sailing on hobie-cats, kayaking, hair braiding, jewelry-making, and free access to the diving bubble maker program. Please check with individual properties/providers for additional details.

“Grenada is the perfect destination for the active family; there is something here for everyone,” said William Joseph, Director of Tourism for the Grenada Board of Tourism. “We encourage families to take advantage of everything the island has to offer and promise that they’ll have a vacation to remember.”

Known as the “Spice of the Caribbean,” Grenada boasts some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches, delectable cuisine and spices, a tropical rainforest, and a wide range of fun-filled activities such as diving, snorkeling, hiking, fishing and sailing. Grenada can be reached from the U.S. with Delta Airlines’ non-stop service from New York. Grenada can also be reached daily by American Eagle, via San Juan, and by American Airlines via its non-stop Miami service.

For more information on Grenada or the Summer Kids’ Promotion visit http://www.gogrenada.gd/, contact the Grenada Board of Tourism at or (800) 927-9554 or visit their website at www.grenadagrenadines.com.

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Grenada minister calls for greater use of nationals living overseas

Wednesday, June 23, 2010/

www.caribbeannetnews.com

TORONTO, Canada -- A senior Grenada government minister wants greater use made of the talent and skills of nationals living abroad.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter David, told Grenadians in Toronto last weekend that with the pool of skilled and “resourceful Grenadians" in the Diaspora, contracts should be offered to them to return home and help develop Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

The Minister was at the time addressing a meeting on recently opened Office of Diaspora Affairs (ODA), which is aimed at strengthening ties between Grenadians at home and those based overseas. It’s also to encourage and foster greater participation of Grenadians abroad in all aspects of national development.

Last Saturday’s ODA meeting, organised by Consul General Jenny Gumbs, was the first in Toronto, and part of a series of consultations in major metropolitan cities where there are significance numbers of Grenadians.

David was accompanied by Diaspora Steering Committee members Derrick James, Consul General to New York; and Minister Counsellor, Michael Mitchell.

The consultations, the Foreign Minister said, are designed to ensure that the “entire process would not be a top-down approach but instead a bottom-up approach; in other words, a Diaspora perspective that is originated by the people."

The Minister said that the purpose of the meetings is to obtain feedback and recommendations prior to an ODA Preparatory Conference carded for August 5 and 6 in Grenada. The conference is expected to attract about 150 individuals and representatives from Grenadian organisations overseas.

The ODA is also planning to host a Founding Conference next year and a major Homecoming for nationals in 2012.

Former Grenada diplomats Caldwell Taylor, George Griffith and Lennie Fleary, were among individuals and representatives of organisations that attended Saturday’s meeting with David and the ODA Steering Committee members.

“I am elated that they took the time to visit Toronto to get our ideas,” one attendee said.

David said the idea of the Diaspora office originated while he was in opposition.

“It came from a deep sense of understanding that we have not sufficiently utilised the resources we have in the Diaspora," said the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which won general elections in 2008.

In fact, he said, “the further away one moves from Grenada, it’s the more patriotic she/he becomes. I understand the passion to serve and to give back to the country that nurtured us. I also come with a Diaspora perspective, having lived in Canada, England and the USA."

Foreign Minister David also stressed the importance of Grenadians living in Canada becoming more involved in the political progress in their adopted homeland.

“In doing so," he explained, “you are not only helping Canada but you can also hold positions that can strategically help Grenada."

Saturday’s meeting, which went over the allotted time, included a continuous flow of questions and suggestions from the audience, with many people expressing concern at the state of education and health in Grenada.

They offered suggestions on how the Diaspora can play an even greater role in the development of the two sectors, and raised other questions of national interests, such as the high level of unemployment in Grenada.

David also used the Canadian trip to visit Montreal and to meet with the executive of the NDC Toronto Support Group, and was a guest at a fundraiser organised by the group.

The Foreign Minister also attended a Toronto celebration marking the 44th anniversary of Guyana’s Independence, and was the keynote speaker at a function in honour of former Canadian Member of Parliament, Grenada-born Jean Augustine.

She received a national award last year – the Order of Canada – for having distinguished herself as a politician and an educator and advocate for social justice in Canada.

Airlines shuttling visitors to Grenada for summer

Monday, June 7, 2010/

www.caribbeannetnews.com

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada (GIS) -- Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister, Glynis Roberts, has said that airline service to Grenada is moving along “nicely,’’ especially for the summer when the country will be hosting Spicemas, the annual carnival celebration.

Tourism & Civil Aviation Minister Glynis Roberts (GIS photo)

The travel needs of would-be visitors are being met through a series of formal arrangements between government and airline officials, as well as with non-government private charters.

Air Jamaica, whose majority owners are now Caribbean Airlines, is returning to Grenada from New York after cutting the route a few months ago. It’s not a formal, negotiated arrangement with the Ministry of Tourism, and so far it appears limited to just the summer months.

“They are doing it on their own accord,’’ Minister Roberts said in reference to Air Jamaica which is proposing a schedule of four flights weekly – Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The recently announced scheduled of Air Jamaica also targets travellers to Barbados and the Grand Caymans, with the airline offering passenger concessions such as “two bags free in Lovebird Economy class,’’ a 10 percent discount for “accompanied children and senior citizens,’’ and a 15 percent discount on “personal cargo shipments for ticketed passengers.’’

The theme of Grenada’s carnival, which will be officially launched June 12, is: “We Playin’ Ah Wicked Mas.’’ It culminates August 9 and 10.

Many visitors from the United States east coast are expected to travel to Grenada on private charter with Jet Blue, the low-fare airline.

Minister Roberts said Grenada has been in discussion with Jet Blue since last October with a view to arriving at a permanent arrangement to service the Grenada market. No deal has yet been reached.

The Tourism Ministry had better success with Delta Airlines, which will be commencing flights to Grenada next month.

“We have Delta that’s coming in on July 3 with year-round service,’’ Mrs. Roberts said. “They’ll be coming twice weekly, on Wednesday and on Saturday. This augurs well for our industry not only in terms of expatriates coming back home for carnival, but also for people on the eastern seaboard who want to visit Grenada during the festival time.’’

Government is also in talks with Virgin Airlines, West Jet and Air Canada, the Minister announced. “The airlift is coming along nicely,’’ she told the Government Information Service.

The minister said the National Democratic Congress government is promoting “Community and Heritage Tourism,’’ which requires the collective efforts of all Grenadians.

“For tourism to move, our people need to take ownership,’’ said Roberts. “We have so much that we can utilise for ourselves and share. Every Caribbean island has sea, sun and sand. We have to find what is different that can pull people to our country.’’

The Tourism Minister also noted the need for Grenada to further upgrade the quality and quantity of its room stock.

“We have to work feverishly to get our room stock in line. There’s no point you’re working to bring people into the country and all the accommodation is not up to capacity or are not to a certain standard,’’ she said.

Roberts said a lot of work is being done to improve the tourism product, which benefits other economic sectors.

“The spill-off effects of tourism are vast and wide,’’ she said. “We have to continue working towards developing the industry and sensitising people to understand the benefits we get from tourism.’’