On a day when most of Canada, coast to coast, was gripped in polar temperatures and snow, Grenada tourism officials brought their sunny ways to a Toronto airport hotel, leaving a couple of dozen travel advisors more actively dreaming of an escape to the Caribbean Spice Island than usual, both personally and for clients.
One lucky attendee did win a trip for two to the island – with air – from the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) and luncheon co-sponsors, Blue Diamond Hotels, which opened the Royalton Grenada in March 2020 (pandemic notwithstanding).
Other attendees were made aware of a host of other agent incentives they could take advantage of, including tours when on island – including “dropping in for lunch” and a tour at The Royalton – particularly if visiting for a day from a cruise ship.
More extensive perks are available in Travel Agent Month in May and for specialists who complete the course at expert.puregrenada.com, including an annual trip for top sellers.
Blue Diamond’s Toronto-based Sr. Director of Trade Sales and Development Todd Kirlik, added, “We know who has the business, and it’s the travel trade! It all starts with you.”
“We really appreciate everything (agents) do,” echoed GTA chairman Randall Dolland, vowing, “And we will do our part to ensure your clients have an exceptional experience (in Grenada).”
Indeed, service underpins everything the GTA does, said Dolland, who enthused that the island now benefits from year-round service from Canada (four times weekly Air Canada flights in season through March 31, then once a week during the spring and summer, plus another Sunwing winter flight), and they would like to keep it that way.
“Canada is such a wonderful market for us, and we plan to spend time here and put more resources into the market,” he said. “We now have year-round air service and we are committed to growing that.
“The whole idea is that (happy) clients become ambassadors for Grenada,” he added.
And that shouldn’t be hard in a tropical paradise covered in rainforest and waterfalls – the “quintessence of pure nature.”
“Here you can just step back; there’s a simplicity in life that is refreshing. It’s like you breath deeply, and you imperceptibly slow down,” GTA CEO Petra Roach once remarked to Travel Industry Today in an interview.
Indeed, the greatest draw for tiny Grenada – only 33 km long – is the “closeness” visitors feel to nature, says Roach.
And while small, the island (plus neighbouring Carriacou and Petite Martinique) abounds with soft adventure activities on-island, and off, ranging from hiking and four-wheel drive excursions to paddle boarding and snorkelling/diving, the latter amongst the world’s best, featuring wrecks, real and artificial reefs, and an underwater sculpture park. And sailing and yachting are ubiquitous (with rental and charters available).
Visitors can also visit rum distilleries, chocolate factories, a spice market, and historical attractions, while festivals, like Spicemas in August, dot the calendar year-round.
The island was also named a “Culinary Capital” by The World Food Travel Association.
And the beaches! – both black and white sand varieties – and notably acclaimed Grand Anse, plus Paradise Beach, recently voted the top beach in the Caribbean by USA Today.
And put it all together, and you also have a destination big on romance, and ideal for weddings and honeymoons.
“We may be small, but we pack a big punch,” said GTA’s director of sales for Canada, Sekou Stroude.
Grenada, concluded Kirlik, “is an excellent, excellent place for our mutual clients!”