Minister holds consultations with southern Grenadines Tourism Stakeholders

THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, in collaboration with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA), held a series of consultations on Union Island, Mayreau, and Canouan on August 8, 2024. The primary objective of these meetings was to engage with tourism stakeholders in the southern Grenadines and develop a comprehensive strategy for rebuilding the tourism product in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.

Minister of Tourism, Carlos James, led the government team in discussions with hoteliers, tour operators, restaurant owners, and other tourism-related businesses. The consultations provided a platform for stakeholders to share their experiences, challenges, and ideas for revitalizing the tourism sector.

“Our goal is to empower tourism businesses in the southern Grenadines to recover and thrive,” James stated.”These consultations are essential in understanding the specific needs of each island and developing targeted support measures.” The upcoming tourist season, which commences in October, is a critical period for the recovery of the tourism industry, and James said the government is committed to providing the necessary assistance to ensure that businesses are well-prepared to welcome visitors. Key areas of focus include

facilitating access to funding, streamlining approval processes, and enhancing marketing and promotional efforts.

The minister indicated that in addition to rebuilding the tourism product, the government recognizes the significant financial impact of Hurricane Beryl on tourism businesses, consequently, a stipend programme will be implemented to provide temporary relief to affected stakeholders. Details of the stipend programme, including eligibility criteria and disbursement procedures, will be announced.

“We understand the hardships faced by our tourism partners,” the minister emphasized. “The stipend programme is a tangible demonstration of government’s support during this challenging period.” (API).