Above: Grenada (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Grenada’s new government is planning a major tourism push, Governor General Sir Carlyle Glean said at his throne speech on Thursday.

“The New Economy envisions a world class tourism product,” said Glean, whose government will reportedly create a fund for distressed hotel assets.

That fund will “help protect the investment of local entrepreneurs and stem the loss of jobs from the hotel industry,” he said.

He said the government would also give “due consideration” to the issue of casino gambling, “only as it considers how it can attract new and modern tourism developments to Grenada, thereby providing much-needed jobs.” Only gambling for visitors and on the best new betting sites UK can offer would be considered, he said.

The Governor general also said the government would focus on more “targeted and aggressive marketing of our
destination in concert with the private sector.”

“Government will also review and rationalize its current airlift arrangements to ensure their cost-effectiveness and optimal impact,” he said.

Grenada will also look to use “major sport facilities” to create sports tourism opportunities, according to Glean.