GRENADA CONTINUES TO BENEFIT FROM SPORTS TOURISM

St. George, July 27, 2007 -- Under the auspices of the Grenada Board of Tourism, the Ministry of Sports and the UK-based Grenada Sports, the month of July witnessed several groups of cricketers and netballers utilizing the beauty and facilities of Grenada for summer activities. Among the teams that visited were the Licensed Victuallers, Davenies, Plymouth College, Loughborough, Bolton, and Woodbridge.

The Grenada Board of Tourism was indeed delighted to welcome these visitors who enjoyed the excellent hospitality and competition that the cricketers and netballers of Grenada provided. The cricketers, in particular had the added incentive of experiencing the world class facilities at the National Stadium, complemented by the improved amenities at Progress Park and La Sagesse.

Grenada continues to enjoy increased growth in the Sports Tourism sector from the UK due mainly to the ongoing partnership between the Grenada Board of Tourism and Grenada Sports. Since the inception of the agreement, over 80 groups have traveled to Grenada, ably supported by the Ministries of Tourism and Sport. These groups have also invariably included other family members, who were looking to enjoy the beauty of Grenada whilst supporting their touring teams.

Allan Lamb, the ex England cricketer of Grenada Sports, speaking during a recent visit to Grenada to launch the Grenada XL Cricket Classics, highlighted the need for Grenada to remain competitive and pro-active in the Sports tourism sector. It was at that launch that the Ministries of Tourism, Sport and the Grenada Board of Tourism all re-affirmed their commitment to the ongoing project and noted the continued recovery of this sector to near pre-Ivan levels.

They all welcomed the launch of the XL Classics and noted the expansion of the event to include the international twenty20 matches between Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago, and Grenada and the Antigua 20/20 Pro Team. Everyone looks forward to welcoming visitors from the UK and the region to enjoy a festival of cricket at the magnificent new National Stadium on the 6th & 7th of October 2007.