PURE GRENADA FURTHER ENHANCES GLOBAL PROFILE AT WORLD TRAVEL MARKET

WTM Opening: Left to right, Sharon Bernstein GTA UK, Rob Bates GTA UK, Magdalena Fielden True Blue Bay, Patricia Maher GTA CEO, Lance Sargent Johnson Beharry VC COG, Lisa Braithwaite GTA UK, Kish Wilkinson True Blue Bay

Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean and partners this week further enhanced its global profile with participation at World Travel Market in London — the world’s largest travel industry showcase.

Grenada Tourism Authority Chairman, Rodney George; CEO, Patricia Maher; and Marketing Manager, Francine Stewart led the Pure Grenada delegation, supported by the Pure Grenada UK team. The branded stand – a hub for meetings and networking – was officially opened on Monday by Lance Sargent Johnson Beharry VC COG.

Pure Grenada met with senior representatives of the two UK airlines serving Grenada — British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, and other airlines, as well as decision-makers from over 20 leading tour operators including Virgin Holidays, Caribtours, Trailfinders, Dive Worldwide, Funway Travel, Lotus DIAL-a-Flight and Kenwood Travel.

Fresh opportunities were confirmed with new partners including Classic Collection, which will feature Grenada for the first time in their brochures this season’s, and Hayes & Jarvis, which will add Calivigny Island to its portfolio. Grenada also joined Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel to celebrate their recent membership in the prestigious Relais & Châteaux.

Maher said that Grenada stood out at World Travel Market this year with its own dedicated exhibition space, an unmatched opportunity to network with and influence the global travel industry and media. Feedback from existing and new partners was very positive and the future — as the GTA continues to build stayover visitors, looks incredibly promising.”

Exhibition partners – Kalinago Beach Resort; Mount Cinnamon Resort; Silversands Grenada – which is due to open in March 2018; Spice Island Beach Resort; Blue Horizons Garden Resort; St James Travel & Tours; and True Blue Bay Boutique Resort – undertook appointments with decision makers from tour operators.

Maher undertook several high profile media interviews to position Grenada as a successful and sustainable tourism destination, drawing attention to accommodation and new attractions, and events including the Pure Grenada Music Festival (13-15 April 2018) and Grenada Chocolate Fest (11-19 May 2018).

The delegation also attended industry professionals’ and travel media networking events and destination training was provided for expert travel agents throughout the show.

Grenada hosted media including BBC London and ITV at the British Guild of Travel Writers Gala Dinner, the premiere annual networking event for UK travel media, and featured on UK national commercial radio stations.

According to Maher, “There was a real buzz about Pure Grenada at World Travel Market as we’re right on trend with our new experiences and a growing accommodation portfolio. In collaboration with our partners, we continue to ensure that Pure Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean remains top of mind as the exciting and memorable destination of choice for discerning travellers from around the world.”

WTM this year attracted over 50,000 visitors each day including senior management from leading travel companies and providers, travel industry professionals and specialist media.