26 JUL 2018: Well, it was quite an evening. Not Gilligan’s ill-fated ‘Three Hour Tour’ but longer, sans predicted storm (thank whomever), and infinitely more interesting. The guest of honour was the Hon. Cecil McKie, Minister of Tourism for St. Vincent and The Grenadines, and if he’s an example of the intelligence, friendliness and good humour of ‘Vincies’ – well, there’s an AC rouge flight to Argyle International Airport on St. Vincent every Wednesday – I’m packing!
I’m being more than a bit familiar – the people of St.Vincent and the Grenadines are actually called Vincentians, but they are so casual and friendly.
Guests on board also included Glen Beache, CEO St. Vincent & the Grenadines Tourist Authority (SVGTA), Ricki Adams, chairman of SVG Carnival, Shelly John of SVGTA in Toronto, Simona Cercel of Air Canada. Vicki Borenstein, publisher of Travel Industry Today (and newly inducted Canadian Hall of Famer) was also on hand, and we were all the guests of Susan Webb, president of VoX along with her colleagues, Braden Rosner and Hannah Choat. At the helm was Captain John Marraffino, president of VCM Media.
It was a great evening – the threatened storm held off – and the views of the city from the lake were as impressive as always. Okay, so it’s not the Caribbean, but good in a different way.
SVGTA CEO, Glen Beche told us that the newly opened Argyle International Airport on St. Vincent will be welcoming Canadian travellers on Air Canada rouge’s weekly flights and he’s expecting a very positive result.
In 2017 St. Vincent and the Grenadines welcomed about 8,000 visitors from Canada, this year – and only halfway through – arrivals have increased by approximately three percent.
If you’re an adventurous type – don’t worry – there’s lots to do – from hiking along the mountainous Vermont Nature Trail, kite surfing on Union Island, to diving in a bat cave (Really? You want to do this?) and swimming in a crater of the La Soufriere volcano (oh, yeah, this one’s high on my list, too).
There are 32 islands and cays, unspoiled natural attractions and luxurious hideaways – the destination is clearly ready to impress and embrace visitors.
South of the largest island, St. Vincent, The Grenadines are strung across 40 miles of typically tranquil waters, “making these pristine seas prized for sailing, diving and snorkelling – ranked among the best in the world.”
You know some of that is essentially brochure copy – but I’m assured by people who have visited that it is true! I have close friends who visit Bequia on a regular basis – they love it so much – they regularly take a holiday from their holiday in Ft. Lauderdale to fly over.
Apparently a must for under water enthusiasts is Tobago Cays, five sibling islands (Petit Rameau, Baradel, Petit Bateau, Jamesby and Petit Tabac) surrounded and shielded by an enormous horseshoe reef – some of the most vibrant, colourful and diverse ecosystems of undersea life you can find anywhere in the Caribbean.
Yachting and sailing enthusiasts come to St. Vincent to enjoy the secluded bays and lagoons with both white and black sand beaches.
Showcasing some of the best marina facilities in the world, the US $250 million Glossy Bay Marina recently opened on Canouan.
CEO Glen (after our sail I feel okay to call him by his first name) said, “By selecting VoX International as our public relations agency in Canada, we are showing our commitment to the Canadian travel market by working with an industry-leading company,”
“We cannot wait to welcome Canadian travellers to our destination in 2018.”
Minister McKie assured me that all nine inhabited islands boast talented chefs and an assortment of incredible restaurants. Specialties include seafood callaloo soup, roasted breadfruit and fried jack fish. Rum drinks will certainly help get one’s appetite going. (Doesn’t that sound better than a bat cave?)
I’d better provide some facts – just to show it wasn’t all play and no work!
Festivals and events are year-round, celebrating culture, heritage, music and sport. In March, National Heroes and Heritage Month celebrates the people who have made a significant contribution to St. Vincent’s history. During Easter, visitors and locals join in the excitement of the highly competitive yacht racing action of the Bequia Easter Regatta – taking place for the last 35 years this is now an internationally acclaimed sailing event. Then for ten days from the last Friday in June, the country celebrates the “Hottest carnival in Caribbean with Vincy Mas.
A collection of 32 islands and cays in the Caribbean, St. Vincent and the Grenadines stretch 45 miles south from the main island of St. Vincent, include eight inhabited islands: Young Island, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island and Petit St.Vincent (PSV). The Tobago Cays (home of the national marine park) is a horseshoe shaped reef that shields five deserted islets and is known to have some of the best sailing waters in the world.
Meanwhile here in Toronto, it was a lovely evening on Lake Ontario. Great company. Great weather. The hint of a rainbow and spectacular skies.
As for me – I’m checking my calendar – Wednesday flights, eh?
visit http://www.discoversvg.com/.