Grenada to observe Tourism Awareness Week

Grenada will be observing Tourism Awareness Week from November 24 to December 1, 2013 under the theme, “Repositioning Tourism for Greater Sustainability”.

Tourism Minister, Alexandra Otway-Noel, in an address to commemorate November as Tourism Awareness Month and in particular November 6 as Tourism Awareness Day at the recommendation
of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, said that Grenada is committed to creating the enabling environment where nationals can focus on how all Grenadians can contribute and participate
in the development of the industry.

“We must recognise that as we seek to build this industry, we are required to have everyone prepared for the job opportunities that will become available in the process,” said Minister Otway-Noel.

“So today, as we commemorate Caribbean Tourism Day, and as we look towards the programme of activities for Tourism Week, I am pleased to emphasise the fact that the core activities for the Week’s observance involves the use of educational programmes to encourage greater participation among various communities in the thrust to bring more benefits to Grenadians of all walks of life,” she added.

Using the opportunity to express a few thoughts about the cruise ship season which began last week Wednesday with the arrival of the Celebrity Summit, she said that the Ministry and Board of Tourism were actively involved in initiatives to improve the quality of experiences that visitors can enjoy during their brief visit to our shores.

“We have worked to ensure that practices that are deemed detrimental to the image of Grenada as a cruise ship and stayover destination are eradicated. Since the Grand Anse Beach has been acknowledged and recognised as the nucleus for measuring the level of satisfaction that visitors attribute to Grenada, we have targeted the beach cleaners and security personnel to increase their level of understanding of the workings of the industry, and the important role that they are required to play,” she said.

Recognising that safety and security is a key attribute of the industry’s competitiveness, the Tourism Minister said that the relevant stakeholders have been working closely with the Royal Grenada Police Force to deploy relevant resources at remote and highly frequented attractions.

“Just before the start of the season, we were able to mobilise the gathering of service providers and stakeholders to interact with the Police regarding the strategies being employed to put structures
in place pertaining to the safety and security of establishments, sites and the island as a whole,” she said. (LS)