Grenada´s Economy, Tourism Start to Bounce Back from Last Year´s Tragedy

One year after Hurricane Ivan hit Grenada, the Eastern Caribbean island has experienced remarkable improvements as sustained efforts to rebuild the tourism industry bear fruits. As normalcy returns the following points put Grenada´s present status in relevant context.

Improvements are being made to all aspects of Grenada´s tourism product. Evidence of recovery is therefore visible everywhere. For instance, work continues on the restoration of the Grand Etang Welcome Centre, the Belmont Estate, the Bon Accord facility and the refurbishment of the Leapers Hill attraction.

All of the major festivals were held as scheduled. It means that Carnival, the Carriacou Regatta, Rainbow City festival, the Maroon Music Festival, the Parang Festival, and all of the other events and festivals that make up Grenada´s Calendar of Events were held. The Cricket Classics are therefore carded to take place in the St. Andrew parish during the month of October 2005.

All of Grenada´s prominent boatyards, marinas, and marine suppliers have reopened. The yachting sector is now verily positioned to properly avail itself to the demands that the new season brings.

Currently more than 900 rooms are available for occupancy. This constitutes in excess of 60 percent of the current room stock of the island. By the end of 2005, another 500 rooms will become available.

Recent months have seen the emergence of the renovated Blue Horizons Garden Resort, and the Rex by Grenadian Resort. Overall, by the end of the current calendar year, 94 percent of the pre-Hurricane Ivan room stock will be functional.

The cruise sub-sector of the industry is being prepared for as work progresses on another important phase of the new cruise ship port and terminal. The inclusion of duty-free shopping facilities and other commercial retail outlets are expected to enhance the experiences that arriving passengers will have in Grenada.