Grenada is quickly proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the Caribbean all-inclusive market, but Petra Roach, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority, said the island’s high-end villas shouldn’t be ignored either.
In fact, during a recent interview with Caribbean Journal (CJ), Roach said resumption of airlift has made all of the island’s accommodations popular during these times.
“A major advancement is the resumption of air service with aggressive plans to provide strong connectivity and capacity for the winter,” she said. “Right now, there are non-stop and direct flights to Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport from the U.S. on American Airlines and JetBlue.”
And from now until the rest of the year, Roach said we can expect the number of available flights to increase, giving the destination confidence it will end the year well.
American Airlines offers service twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from Miami International Airport.
Starting November 2, this moves to three times a week (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) and then to daily from December 1, Roach said.
She also said Charlotte recommences a once weekly Saturday service from November 27. JetBlue offers a daily service from John F. Kennedy International Airport with their premium Mint aircraft operating on Saturdays.
For the Canadian market, Air Canada will restart direct flights to Grenada on October 31 with two flights weekly, Wednesday’s and Sundays from Toronto. Sunwing is expected to offer a once weekly flight from Toronto starting November 7.
“While the northeast is returning to normal service, we hope to see the introduction of service from the Boston, Massachusetts area,” said Roach. “We are in discussions to investigate the viability of direct lift from there to the island.”
As far as new resorts go, Roach said Grenada is expanding its options for both the end of the year and into 2022.
“In time for the holiday and winter season, our accommodation options are expanding. Just this month, Marriott’s Royalton Grenada Resort and Spa and Spice Island Beach Resort opened and are welcoming guests,” she said. “2022 looks to be very bright for Grenada, further elevating the destination’s resort offerings.”
Six Senses at La Sagesse is slated to open its doors in 2022, marking the brand’s debut resort in the Caribbean, Roach said, noting that the resort will offer 56 guest rooms, seven one-bedroom villas and five two-bedroom villas.
“Our villa product, with spacious accommodations, is also trending, especially for families traveling with their bubble,” said Roach. “Villa stays can also be customized with staff to cater to their needs for extra pampering.”
Levera Nature and Beach Resort is also opening in 2022. It is set on 375 acres of Grenada’s northeast coast with airport accessibility and offering impressive views of the Eastern Caribbean Sea and southern Grenadine Islands.
Roach told CJ the resort complex is slated to feature boutique hotels, hotel cottages, private homes sites, villas and access to two private islands for secluded getaways, something that is especially trendy during the pandemic.
“We also boast new residences like Silversands Villas, where everything is taken care of and you are supported by a best-in-class, thoroughly trained staff,” said Roach. “Our strongest markets have been New York, Miami and Toronto, in terms of villa interest.”
And the pandemic is also another reason why Grenada’s growing all-inclusive product is more popular than ever before.
“Our all-inclusive properties are very popular right now and are an attractive option for pandemic-weary travelers,” said Roach. “Everything’s included, making the on-island travel experience easy, relaxing and stress free with great cuisine, activities, beautiful settings and almost no decision-making.”
Roach also said both Grenada’s residential resort and second home markets are performing well as of late.
“We have a strong market for both, but resort residences have most definitely seen an uptick during the pandemic with no signs of slowing down,” she told CJ. “Regular vacation homes allow you to live in a beautiful location, but you still have the same responsibilities of homeownership, which persons may not want.”
For more, visit Grenada.
