Grenada focuses on increasing visitors to Carriacou and Petite Martinique

St George’s, Grenada — The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) recently sent a survey team to Carriacou and Petite Martinique headed by CEO Rudy Grant in anticipation of the launch of the Staycation Promotion. The promotion encourages Grenadians to travel to Carriacou and Petite Martinique. It stimulates interests by offering discounts on travel, accommodation, tours and other leisure activities. It will run from October 17 to December 15, 2014.

Grant, speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Petite Martinique on Friday, September 26, said, “We cannot simply improve our visitor arrival numbers on the mainland. There has to be a significant focus on Carriacou and Petite Martinique.”

The CEO insisted that a key component of GTA’s approach to driving traffic to the islands is the collation and interpretation of customer data.

“We’re looking to determine what stimulates people so that we are able essentially to know their DNA,” he said. “We want to know what they are thinking; what they had for lunch; what influences their buying decisions, and who are the key people making these decisions.”

An analysis of the material will result in greater brand material and enhance the islands’ visibility both regionally and internationally.

“We could have the best marketing, the best advertising; people could be hyped to come to the tri-island state; but if they come and the experience is not what they anticipated, then all the money that we have spent goes to waste,” Grant said at the meeting.

“Every person needs to eat, sleep, drink, think, and understand the importance of tourism, not just tourism in and of itself, but its linkages to agriculture, fisheries, small business and arts and crafts,” he added.

The Staycation Promotion seeks to invite Grenadians to discover and enjoy the lush beauty and attractions of the tri-island state of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.