Tourism
compared to 7.80 for the corresponding period in 2008. CARIBBEAN For the month of September 2009, stayover arrivals from the Caribbean grew by 11.70% from a total of 1,861 when compared to 1,666 for the corresponding month in 2008. For the period January to September 2009, arrivals from the Caribbean totalled 20,515 in comparison to 24,009, a decline of 14.55% with the Caribbean registering a market share of 23.42%. CARICOM Stayover arrivals from CARICOM countries for the month of September 2009 totalled 1,711 in comparison to 1,584 for the same month in 2008, an increase of 8.02%. CARICOM nationals for the month stayed for an average of 5.05 nights. For the period January to September 2009, stayover arrivals recorded a decline of 15.04% with a total of 19,381 when compared to 22,811 for the same period in 2008 Non CARICOM For the month of September 2009, stayover arrivals from the Non CARICOM islands grew by 82.93% moving from 82 in 2008 to 150 in 2009 and stayed for an average of 5.37 nights. However, for the period January to September, this category recorded a decline of 5.34% with a total of 1,134 compared to 1,198 for the same period in 2008. LATIN AMERICA The Latin American market grew by 20.66% moving from 121 in 2008 to 146 in 2009. For the month under review, arrivals from South America and Central America increased by 12.28% and 157.14 % respectively whilst South American arrivals stayed for an average of 5.28 nights and Central Americans stayed for 4.29 nights. For the period January to September 2009, stayover arrivals from Latin America recorded a total of 1,463 when compared to 1,483 for the corresponding period of 2008, a decline of 1.35%. AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY Overall average length of stay for the month of September was 7.28 nights and for the period January to September, 2009 stayover arrivals stayed for an average of 8.52 nights. Tourism has increasingly become a major pillar of Grenada’s economy, contributing just under $400m in 2005, contributes approximately 10% of GDP, generates more than 50% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings as well as stimulating activities in the transportation, construction, manufacturing and the agriculture sectors.
Strengths 1. Under-commercialized and an unspoilt tourist destination 2. Very new accommodation stock 3.Well-developed physical infrastructure 4. State-of-the art telecommunications 5. A 747-capacity category 9 International airport 6. Modern cruise port 7. Great sailing, plus a number of modern, wellequipped marinas 8. Natural beauty, natural sites and attractions 9. Rich cultural heritage (and fairly well-preserved historic sites) 10. Friendly people and possibly the lowest crime rate in the Caribbean 11. Highly literate and trainable, English-speaking population 12.Government’s favourable disposition towards the development of tourism, Grenada is on the verge of experiencing a number of notable additions and enhancements to its tourism infrastructure (e.g. in the early execution phase of a US$1.2 billion Peter De Savary project to include 2 luxury hotels, luxury villas, luxury apartments, town houses, condominiums, a world class marina etc.). 13. A modern 25,000 seat multipurpose national stadium with international class facilities for cricket (17,000) , soccer and athletics (8,000) There are, therefore, substantial opportunities in the Grenada tourist industry given the country’s resources OPPORTUNITIES Up-Market Hotel and Villa construction and development including : - Attractions and Activities - Eco-Tourism Sites - Theme park development - Health Tourism - Sports Tourism - Yachting and Marinas - 18 hole par 70/72 Golf Course - Fine Dining (int’l ethnic) - Night Life and Entertainment - Convention Facilities - Shopping - Human Resource Development TOURISM PROJECTS - PETITE ANSE The recently opened 11-room Petite Anse Hotel which has come to the table rather triumphantly since it became operational in the northern end of Grenada earlier this year. This unique beach front development is set in a beautiful tropical garden with spectacular views of the north coast of Grenada. MOUNT CINNAMON There is the 21-room fully furnished and tastefully
Photo by Tony McQuilkin picturesque St George’s equipped Mount Cinnamon Resort where one, two and three bedroom suites and villas, provide scenic panoramic beach views and offer a beachside cabana club with water sports, tennis, spa treatments, swimming pool and gymnasium. FOUR SEASONS RESORT & PRIVATE RESIDENCES, GRENADA The Grenada Four Seasons Hotel and Residences project is being developed on 420 acres of land on the south east coast of Grenada. This includes the 81-acre Hog Island which has been joined to the mainland by a bridge. The entire project comprises an 18-hole Championship Golf Course, a 130-Key Four Seasons Resort Hotel (including 2 Presidential Suites a nd 1 Royal Suite) with full supporting facilities having rooms of a single-story, low-density nature. It also includes a marina with a sailing school and terrestrial research centre, yacht slips, as well as tennis courts, club houses, several restaurants, bars, and 175 private residences and villas spread over the entire acreage. At present the developers are trying to phase the project so that elements that appear easier to implement can be focused on when the project resumes in 2010. PRICKLY BAY WATERSIDE Prickly Bay Waterside is one of Grenada’s high end luxury tourism developments that opened in February 2009. The first phase comprises one, two, and three bedroom apartments, and duplexes. These
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