Tourism minister appeals to Vincentians to invest in more accommodation

Minister of Tourism, Carlos James, providing an update on this country’s preparations for an increase in tourism over the coming months, has urged Vincentians to invest in accommodation.

With St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ current hosting of five games in the ICC Men’s T/20 Cricket World Cup games, Minister James said over 4000 room nights have been booked across major hotels, including Sandals Resorts, for the Cricket technical staff who will occupy nearly 200 rooms and teams, booking over 1400 rooms.

“…there are quite a few games here, some of the teams will stay on for a five day interval, some will move on and come back if they are able to move into the final qualifying round- the super eight.”

To accommodate additional visitors, James at the Wednesday June 12, 2024, press briefing, urged unregistered AirBnB operators and persons with smaller accommodations to work with the Tourism Authority as room stock may fall short for the final cricket matches.

“I know there are some one hundred plus registered AirBnB operators within the radius of the cricket ground, and we’re encouraging you to get in touch with the Tourism Authority. Let us see how we can work with you to facilitate the additional rooms that are going to be needed in the final two games here for the cricket ICC 20 World Cup.”

Minister James also appealed to Vincentians who are interested in investing in the hospitality sector, to provide services such as are offered by AirBnB operatives- bed and breakfast, noting that there is an urgent need to ramp up the accommodation for the destination.

“There’re concessions in relation to a construction order which we grant to allow for a waiver of importation and construction materials…there’s even a tax exemption. This is not just something that is available to Foreign Direct Investment, but also locals who are in the sector who want to expand and who want to come into the tourism sector,” James pointed out.

In preparation for an influx for Vincymas, James said he plans to meet with carnival organisers, and support local mas bands, as this year’s bookings already exceed 90% occupancy at most hotels.

Additionally, that air travel bookings indicate a busy summer season, and one airline is showing a 75% increase in load factor through August, with flights from Canada already at 99% capacity. However, regional air access will be a focus to attract more inter-Caribbean travellers, James said.

There is a projection that for the 2024 carnival season visitor spending will be boosted, thus providing opportunities for locals across all tourism-related sectors.