SVG Tourism Officials seek to increase UK visitor arrivals

Following a record-breaking year in stay-over arrivals to the destination and three consistent years of growth in cruise tourism, tourism officials are pushing for greater strategic partnerships as St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) positions itself as a globally competitive tourism destination.

Minister of Tourism Carlos James, this week led a delegation of tourism officials to the United Kingdom, where they met with president of Carnival Cruise Lines UK and P&O Cruises, Paul Ludlow, and his team of cruise executives, including directors of shore and port operations, strategic planning, senior itinerary and destination planners, maritime and early careers managers, the SVG Tourism Authority said in a release.

Also joining the meeting was Carnival Corporations’ Senior Vice President, Government and Destination Affairs, Marie Mckie ; and Charlene Drakes, Manager Stakeholder Engagements – Caribbean Region.

The meeting was held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at the Carnival Cruise Line’s UK headquarters in Southampton.

The tourism minister said Carnival Cruise Line and P&O Cruises combine captures the largest market share by cruise operators out of the United Kingdom and creating opportunities for greater strategic partnerships will help the destination.

Noting that the UK market has been sluggish generally across the board for most Caribbean islands, Minister James however, expressed optimism regarding the future market share for St Vincent and the Grenadines as UK visitor arrivals to SVG surged by 26.7%, over its pre-pandemic numbers.

“We are seeing signs of recovery in the UK market and patterns of growth emerging. In time, this will translate into greater consumer spend and we are positioning SVG as the must-visit destination among consumers.”

The tourism minister noted that with the build out of more hotels in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the coming months, and the planned expansion of the Kingstown Cruise Terminal, the destination is emerging as a strong globally competitive choice among consumers.

The visit to the Carnival Cruise Line UK Southampton headquarters coincided with the Tourism Authority’s launch of the destination’s “Discover More” UK marketing campaign.

As part of the promotional campaign, 10 branded iconic London black cabs were unveiled featuring eye-catching imagery of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The popular London black cabs will act as roving billboards across the city of London over the next 12 months, promoting the destination, and the convenient Virgin Atlantic flight from London, Heathrow (LHR) to Argyle International Airport (SVD).

The campaign coincides with SVG’s inclusion in Virgin Atlantic’s May 2025 digital Caribbean campaign on Skyscanner.

The delegation to the UK included, CEO of the Tourism Authority, Annette Mark; Director of Sales UK and Europe, Natasha Anderson; and Senior Digital Market Officer, Jamali Jack.