One year later ­ Grenada rebounds

ONE YEAR after Hurricane Ivan devastated 'Spice Island' Grenada, the country is almost back to normal, boasting a significant new-look tourism product mix.

The country which demonstrated resilience focused its reconstruction to several key areas, particularly the tourist industry that has become the lifeblood of the Caribbean.

Grenada now boast a new cruise ship port valued at EC$40 million, 75 per cent of the hotel room stocks are up as at October and by year end that inventory should be increased to 90 per cent.

PHOTO BY JANET SILVERA Grenada's Minister of Tourism Brenda Hood addresses the media during the Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-28) in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

An Adventure River Tubing, a new catamaran business, a new video and audio equipment for the whale-watching experience with First Impressions and aggressive training of taxi drivers, water taxi operators, ground handlers, tourist vendors, managers, hoteliers, as well as construction workers, have received priority during the summer months.

"This was structured to ensure that the beginning of the upcoming winter tourist season takes place in an environment that is equipped with fully trained and highly motivated service providers and stakeholders," Brenda Hood, Minister of Tourism told journalists at a press briefing at the Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-28) in the United States Virgin Islands, last Saturday.

Grenada's boatyards, marinas and marine supplies have all reopened. Electricity is now available in all villages. A similar situation exists regarding piped water and telephone services.

As it relates to the accommodation sub-sector, 1191 rooms are available for occupancy. Among those that are expected to commence operations are the 'New' 80-room Coyaba Beach Resort and the 64 'elegantly appointed rooms' at the New Spice Island Beach Resort.

Grenada suffered an estimated loss of EC$2.2 billion from Hurricane Ivan last September and further damage amounting to EC$200 million as a result of Hurricane Emily earlier this year.

Reports that it would have taken the country 10 years to recover have proven to be a mistaken forecast.

"Strong infrastructure, that is why we are back today. Our agricultural sector needs a few years to come back," said Minister Hood.

However, she admitted that the island saw a record reduction of 36 per cent in land based visitor arrivals between the months of January to August.

Cruise business is up and at the end of the year the island will show an increase of nine per cent overall in arrivals. Three weeks after Hurricane Ivan hit the island, the ships showed immense solidarity and were disembarking passengers on to the island's port.