The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) says Caribbean Week in New York, hosted by the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), “proved to be a successful endeavor for the promotion of Grenada’s tourism product.”
GTA said on Thursday that Grenada’s delegation was led by Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen; GTA chief executive officer Patricia Maher and Director of Sales and Marketing (USA), Christine Noel-Hosford.
The destination’s participation in the week-long schedule of events, which ran from June 5-9, was supported by the island’s North American public relations agency Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications, under the leadership of its president, Cheryl Andrews, and director of client development, Jennifer Johnson.
GTA the Grenadian delegation spent the first half of the week attending trade-focused events, including the Travel Agent Trade Show & Educational Forum, a targeted event that provided a platform to showcase the destination’s offerings and interact with Caribbean-selling agents based in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Trade-focused events also comprised the Caribbean Marketing Conference, an interactive seminar dedicated to enhancing marketing initiatives, and Caribbean Tourism Industry Awards Luncheon, an occasion where the CTO recognizes journalists and photographers who have published “captivating and influential stories spotlighting the region.”
On June 8, Modeste-Curwen, on behalf of the government of Grenada, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to “formalize and implement a cohesive partnership with the global home-sharing company, Airbnb,” GTA said.
“The signing of the MOU is part of ongoing efforts by the GTA to maximize exposure of the destination and will act as a streamlined framework for the collaboration between the GTA and Airbnb,” the statement said.
GTA said the Grenada booth was a “favorite for the more than 100 media in attendance” at the Media Marketplace “where all eager to hear and learn about the latest news, developments and industry offerings from the island.
“This event provided yet another valuable opportunity to be top-of-mind with niche and general destination writers across all platforms including print, digital, online and social media,” GTA said.
The week wrapped up with a festive evening of dining and dancing at CTO’s Rum and Rhythm Benefit and Auction, held at the historic, Capitale in New York.
GTA said Grenada’s table was one of “the most popular, as the team, led by Yvette Michelle LaCrette, who won the two coveted prizes of the evening – People’s Choice Award and Celebrity Chef of the Year – served curried goat, mashed breadfruit and callaloo, with Coucou dessert.”
“Caribbean Week continues to be an important platform for us to showcase Pure Grenada and the destination’s unique tourism product,” Maher said.
“In addition to strengthening ties with our regional and international tourism counterparts, through the CTO business meetings and educational events, our participation in the industry seminars and Media Marketplace provided us with the opportunity to place Grenada front of mind with key trade and consumer journalists in our largest market, and to share what new travelers and returning visitors can expect for the summer and upcoming winter season,” she added.
