Jamaica - At the recent Caribbean Travel Marketplace 42, held in Jamaica, we had the pleasure of sharing a lunch and then interviewing Randall Dolland, Chairman of the Grenada Tourism Authority, at the Grenada Tourism Authority booth. During the interview, Dolland offered us a detailed and passionate insight into what makes Grenada a unique and attractive tourist destination.

Grenada, known as the "Spice Isle of the Caribbean," is composed of three main islands: Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. Dolland described Grenada's natural beauty, highlighting its picturesque beaches, waterfalls, and abundant vegetation.

"Grenada is a very beautiful and naturally stunning island. It is home to the world's first underwater sculpture park, opened in the protected bay of Molinere in 2006," he commented.

This underwater park is one of the main tourist attractions, with life-size figures waiting to be discovered. "All the pieces can be easily seen from the surface while snorkeling, but divers can get closer to some of the works that are located at greater depths on the ocean floor," Dolland explained. He also announced that they are working on a second sculpture park that will address climate change and climate resilience, sending a powerful message about environmental protection.

"As small island states, we must be aware of how we protect the people who depend on the sea and those who live on the coastlines. If we do not take care of our environment now, all these beautiful islands, beaches, and our way of life will disappear. It is crucial to act now to protect the land and the sea, ensuring a future for the next generations," Dolland emphasized.

Regarding the culinary offerings, Dolland highlighted Grenada's culinary richness. "We are known as the Spice Isle of the Caribbean. There are many wonderful things to eat and enjoy. Food is a universal language, so it is one of our main attractions," he said.

Grenada also has excellent air connectivity. "Currently, American Airlines offers direct flights from Miami, and JetBlue from New York. You can also connect via Copa from Panama or Barbados, and reach Grenada from Toronto with Air Canada, and from Europe with British Airways from England," Dolland detailed.

The island is not overdeveloped, allowing visitors to enjoy stunning beaches without crowds, even during peak seasons. "Grenada is an exotic but traditional island, not overly developed. Even in high seasons, we have some of the best beaches in the world that are not overcrowded, allowing visitors to enjoy and immerse themselves in an authentic destination," Dolland concluded.

Grenada offers a variety of accommodation options, from boutique hotels to some all-inclusive resorts. "When you come, you can go out to eat and enjoy local food. There are many restaurants where you can enjoy the views and local cuisine," Dolland finished.

Dolland also expressed a keen interest in attracting visitors from Latin America. "Most of our tourists come from the United States, Canada, and Europe. However, we see great growth potential in the Latin American market. We would love to welcome more visitors from Latin America and are working to strengthen our connections and promotions in this region," Dolland stated.

With its impressive natural beauty, rich culinary offerings, commitment to sustainability, and interest in diversifying its tourist markets, Grenada continues to establish itself as a top-tier destination in the Caribbean.

The Grenada Tourism Authority has announced a record increase in visitor arrivals to the beautiful island paradise, demonstrating an impressive upward trend as a preferred Caribbean destination of choice. The first quarter of 2024 saw a significant increase in visitors for Grenada with a 29% growth over the same period in 2023 and 31% over 2019. This growth trajectory ballooned from 45,837 in the first quarter of 2023 to 58,941 in the same period of 2024. These announcements come on the heels of Grenada hosting the Caribbean Tourism Organization Sustainable Tourism Conference in April 2024 - the largest conference in the organization’s history.