The three-island country of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique may not be the biggest in the Caribbean, but it bats above its weight when it comes to charm.
For starters, this is the spice destination, with nutmeg so fragrant – as I can attest - you can smell it when you arrive. Other attractions include 40+ beaches, culinary offerings from roadside funky to sophisticated cuisine, and a surprising variety of hotels.
Such was the message as a trio of the islands’ ambassadors met with the media at chic Sassafras Resto in Toronto’s tony Yorkville on 21AUG. Grenada Tourism Authority CEO Petra Roach, accompanied by the Authority’s Chairman Randall Dolland and the Director of Sales/Canada Sekou Stroude, were proud to provide an update on the islands, which may be a little “under the radar” for Canadian travel advisors.
Canada is currently the number 4 market, after the US, UK and Caribbean (though worth noting that when an island draws visitors from other islands, you know it has cachet). However the good news is that lift from YYZ is increasing, with AC offering weekly service (SAT) during the summer, stepped up to twice weekly in winter (SUN/TUE). And starting 30NOV, WS will offer weekly SUN flights to 30APR. “We are looking at investing more in this market,” Roach told Open Jaw. “We know Canadians are adventurous – and love good food.”
Speaking of adventure, GND is a great destination for the client looking to get out and explore. It’s compact – incredibly, just 1/35th the size of Jamaica – and has a long track record of safety and authentic, welcoming hospitality. Diverse topography ranges from waterfalls to rain forests and of course those beaches (“Sometimes you’ll have a beach all to yourself,” Dolland told the group). Activities include hiking, biking, ziplining, off road touring and hashing. A nice break during a day’s touring can include lunch at a spice plantation.
GND is also a great destination for scuba diving clients, including advanced ones. It is home to the Bianca C, the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean, and the world’s first underwater sculpture park. There are even underwater yoga classes! And clients who love swimming can get involved volunteering with Get Grenada Swimming.
With a population of 110,000, GND is by far the largest and most populous of the islands, with Carriacou home to some 8,000 and Petite Martinique just 1,000. Most visitors vacation in GND.
The island’s many EP properties make it perfect for active, curious clients. But for those who (being very Canadian) still love the comfort and no-surprises pricing of an all-inclusive, there’s a small handful, including Sandals, the Royalton and the upscale Spice Island. “We like to market ourselves as an inclusive destination, more so than all-inclusive,” Roach said.
“We are not aspirational, we are attainable,” she added. And now more accessible too, thanks to all that added lift from Canada.
Find out more at puregrenada.com.
