Town of St. George. (Photo by Grenada Tourism Authority)

Grenada’s Visitor Numbers Keep Growing

By
Lydia Gregory
-
Town of St. George. (Photo by Grenada Tourism Authority)
 
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Grenada’s tourism sector is experiencing a robust recovery, with visitor arrivals showing significant growth in the first half of 2024. The Grenada Tourism Authority reports a 20 percent increase in Q1 and Q2 compared to 2019 and an 18 percent rise over 2023 figures. July 2024 alone saw a 10 percent increase from 2019 and a 5 percent uptick from 2023.

ForwardKeys, a travel intelligence firm, highlighted Grenada’s resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. The analysis showcased the destination’s swift recovery and noted the market’s return to normal booking levels shortly after the event.

“The market has shown impressive resilience, quickly bouncing back to normal booking levels,” the organization noted. “Our comprehensive travel intelligence clearly shows the significant short-term impact that Hurricane Beryl had on travel to the Caribbean, particularly to those islands in the direct path of the storm,” said Olivier Ponti, Director of Intelligence and Marketing at ForwardKeys, in a press statement.
“We are thrilled to see such positive growth in our visitor arrivals during this period, which speaks volumes about Grenada’s enduring appeal and the hard work of our tourism stakeholders,” said Petra Roach, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority, in a press statement. “Our strategic efforts to maintain and grow our market share have been multifaceted. We have actively engaged with our key source markets to meet directly with travel and airline partners, as well as with members of the media.”

Grenada is Making Big Strides

Seven Sisters Waterfall. (Photo by Kyle Wicomb)
According to Roach, these interactions were necessary steps that conveyed that Grenada is open and ready to welcome visitors, as reflected in the impressive data on record. “The dedicated and collaborative efforts of our entire tourism sector have truly paid off, and we are optimistic about continuing this momentum throughout the rest of 2024 and beyond for Grenada,” added Roach in the press statement.

The tourism authority’s strategic approach included direct engagement with key source markets, travel partners, airlines and media. While the northern parts of Grenada and its sister islands required assistance post-hurricane, mainland Grenada remained operational for tourism. This targeted communication strategy was vital in maintaining visitor confidence and contributing to the impressive arrival figures.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), in partnership with ForwardKeys, also recognized Grenada’s performance. The island is forecasting a 19 percent increase in tourist arrivals for the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, with a 30 percent increase already achieved in Q1.

Nutmeg Princess at the Grenada Underwater Sculpture park. (Photo by Orlando K. Romain)

Grenada’s focus on sustainable tourism and unique experiences, such as the expanded Moliniere Underwater Sculpture Park, has been instrumental in attracting eco-conscious travelers. Investments include additions to the existing 71 sculptures, which include 29 new pieces and two replacements.

Cruise Season Booming

The 2023/2024 cruise season has shown significant growth, with passenger numbers reaching 302,462, marking a 100 percent increase from the previous year. This upward trend has prompted a focus on resource allocation for further tourism product development and enhancement.

Infrastructure improvements comprise 19 new moorings, an 8-seat wedding chapel, a GRENADA sign at Grand Mal and two additional moorings in the area.

Conservation efforts have been intensified with the implementation of daily patrols in the Marine Protected Area. These measures ensure compliance with Grenada’s laws and maintain the area’s pristine waters and thriving marine ecosystem. The focus on preservation aligns with the destination’s core values and long-term sustainability goals.

For more information, visit puregrenada.com.

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