Tuesday, April 9, 2024
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has commended Grenada’s tourism stakeholders for their commitment to fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, a partnership that has led to sustainable growth within the destination’s tourism industry.
During her recent visit to The Spice Island, Vanessa Ledesma, Acting CEO of CHTA, addressed a Members Meeting of the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA). The meeting, attended by government officials and members of the business community, highlighted the strong collaborative efforts pivotal in driving the sector’s progress.
“Grenada stands out as an exceptional Caribbean tourism destination, and I am truly impressed by the dedication of its hospitality industry stakeholders. Through collaboration and a robust public-private partnership, I am confident that the GHTA and its members will continue to prosper,” remarked Ledesma.
Drawing from insights provided by CHTA’s data partner ForwardKeys, Ledesma shared valuable information on Grenada’s tourism outlook. She spotlighted first-quarter arrivals, indicating a trajectory set to exceed 2023’s figures, positioning Grenada as a leader in regional tourism growth.
In 2023, Grenada achieved a significant milestone by welcoming 178,020 stayover visitors, marking a notable 33.7% increase from 2022. This remarkable growth elevated Grenada among a select group of regional destinations that surpassed their 2019 arrival figures, showcasing an increase of nearly 10 percent.
Data from STR and CoStar revealed a positive trend in the hospitality sector, with hotel occupancy rising from 61% to 65.6% year-over-year. Moreover, there was an uptick in both Average Daily Rate (ADR) and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR).
Ledesma also highlighted the Caribbean’s robust performance in the global travel recovery of 2023, citing a three percent increase in international arrivals compared to 2019. This contrasted starkly with a 25% decline in total international inbound travel elsewhere in the world. “The Caribbean has truly set a benchmark in the global tourism landscape, demonstrating significant outperformance in visitor attraction last year,” Ledesma remarked, emphasizing the region’s successful rebound and resilience amidst global challenges.
The association executive underscored the manifold benefits of CHTA membership, including critical advocacy work on travel and tourism issues to ensure members’ voices are heard in policy-making circles. She also emphasized marketing opportunities provided through access to Caribbean Travel Marketplace, the premier annual buyer-supplier event in the region, scheduled to be held in Jamaica in May.
Ledesma discussed the value of market intelligence via access to regional performance data and resources in the CHTA Data Center, educational webinars, and masterclasses, opportunities for leadership and engagement in CHTA councils and committees, sharing of best practices beyond individual destinations’ borders, and the availability of timely, curated news and information.
As part of her visit, Ledesma engaged in site visits to member hotels, gaining insights into the hospitality sector’s needs and offering practical solutions. She also explored Grenada’s scenic beauty and charm to deepen her understanding of the destination.
Warm Grenadian hospitality was extended to Ledesma through a reception held in her honor at Calabash Grenada, providing an intimate setting for networking and dialogue among guests, including Senator Adrian Thomas, Minister of Tourism; Senator Salim Rahaman; Nikoyan Roberts, Head of Sales and Marketing at the Grenada Tourism Authority; and other government officials and tourism leaders.
“Vanessa’s visit symbolizes a significant step forward in strengthening the relationship and fostering growth of the Grenadian hospitality sector. The GHTA looks forward to leveraging her expertise and insights to further elevate our industry,” remarked Arlene Friday, CEO of GHTA.
Monday, April 29, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
