With St. Vincent and the Grenadines proving to be one the fastest-growing destinations in the Caribbean, the islands’ government has announced the injection of some USD$20 million on the upgrade and development of new tourism sites and four new hotels – one of them being a new Beaches resort that represents the largest single tourism development in the nation’s history.
The 500-room family-friendly Beaches Resort project, to be developed on the west side of St. Vincent, builds on the successful opening of Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines in March 2024.
According to the tourism minister, the landmark government investment will focus on enhancing the visitor experience at established attractions while also developing new products that showcase the country’s diverse natural, cultural, and historical assets.
The developments are expected to broaden the tourism offering, extend visitor stays, and create new opportunities for communities and entrepreneurs.
In announcing the initiative, Carlos James stated: “This investment signals our government’s commitment to strengthening St Vincent and the Grenadines’ position as a premier tourism destination. By upgrading our sites and building out new attractions, we are creating opportunities for communities, enhancing our competitiveness, and ensuring that every visitor has an authentic, memorable, and world-class experience.
“Importantly, this development will be undertaken with sustainability at its core, balancing growth with the preservation of our natural and cultural heritage.”
Hotels
The four new projects announced include:
- Peter’s Hope Resort Development Project – A 280-room beachfront flagship Marriott Autograph Collection hotel
- Beaches St. Vincent and the Grenadines – The family-friendly resort to be constructed at Mt. Wynne
- Palm Island Development – A new project with phase one scheduled to open in December 2026; and
- Cumberland Bay Resort Development Project – A 150-room beachfront resort featuring overwater bungalows, cottages, a hotel and small marina.
“These new developments represent more than additional rooms, they signify a transformation of our tourism product, strengthening St Vincent and the Grenadines’ competitiveness on the global stage,” said James. “This is not mass tourism, but a structured, forward-looking approach to tourism development that balances growth, community benefit, and environmental stewardship.”
Currently, St Vincent and the Grenadines has a room stock of 3,350, which is projected to grow by 1,100 to over 4,450 rooms by 2026/27 with the addition of the new projects, together with the formal inclusion of 400 Airbnb and short-term rental listings properties.
The growth represents a 34.5% increase over 2025 levels, significantly enhancing the Island’s capacity to host larger groups, destination events, international conferences, and longer-stay visitors.
“The addition of these four landmark hotel projects marks a defining moment for tourism in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” says Annette Mark, CEO of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority. “With increased room stock, we will be able to attract larger events, expand into new markets, and deepen our reach in group travel, MICE, and romance tourism. This expansion also creates significant opportunities for local communities, suppliers, and service providers to benefit directly from the tourism value chain.”
Record tourism growth
According to the latest Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) performance report, St. Vincent and the Grenadines recorded a 17.3% increase in visitor arrivals compared to the same period in 2024, ranking it as the second fastest-growing destination in the region, behind only Guyana (18.3%) and ahead of Curaçao (15.3%) and Trinidad and Tobago (12.3%).
“This remarkable growth underscores St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ emergence as one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic and promising destinations,” says James. It reflects the hard work of our tourism teams, industry partners, and communities across our beautiful island.”
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