Grenada hotels reopen, new cruise ship port opens
“Grenada is rebounding remarkably well. Everyday the landscape turns greener, the infrastructure improves, new attractions are opening and the hoteliers are resolute in their determination to enhance the accommodation plant,” said Naline Joseph, head of Marketing at the Grenada Board of Tourism.
The following update reflects all confirmed information the Grenada Board of Tourism has received regarding infrastructure, airlines, seaports, resort regions and hotel status:
Overall Assessment:
Electricity has been restored to most of the island. Projections say that the entire country should have full access to electricity by the end of February 2005.
The entire island has access to clean, drinkable flowing water. All the major roads in Grenada are open to traffic. Most banks, shops, marinas, schools and gas stations are open.
Hotels:
Approximately 714 of Grenada’s 1,700 hotel rooms are now open. The projection is that by the end of January there will be 774 rooms and by March there will be more than 900.
Cruise Sector:
The brand new Melville Street, US$24 million cruise ship port facility, which has the capacity to accommodate at least two mega cruise ships, opened late last month. The handing over of the new cruise ship terminal marked the completion of phase one of the joint venture between contractor, Zublin Grenada Limited, and the Government of Grenada. The first phase of the project involved the construction of berthing facilities, a new welcome center, and parking facilities for taxis and tour operators. The ceremony also saw a groundbreaking moment for the start of phase two of the project. This will include the construction of a duty free shopping mall on 35,000 sq ft of land.
Grenada celebrated the return of cruise ships when the Norwegian Spirit visited Grenada on November 9, 2004. It was the first major cruise ship to visit Grenada in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. In the weeks and month that followed, Grenada welcomed the arrivals of the C Columbus, the Adonia, Aida Vita, Silver Shadow, Sun Princess, Sunbird, Royal Clipper, Norwegian Spirit, Braemar, Golden Princess, Empress of the Seas, Prinsedam, Ocean Village, Silver Whisper, Sunbird, Wind Surf and Norwegian Dawn, among others.
Airport/Airlines:
Point Salines International Airport is open for daily operations to both regional and international flights between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., until further notice. BWIA is offering flights from New York and Miami via its Trinidad hub while Air Jamaica has resumed all flights via its Montego Bay hub and its Tuesday, Friday and Sunday non-stop service from JFK/New York. American Eagle is operating daily flights from San Juan that depart at 6:20 p.m. and arrive in Grenada at 8:50 p.m. The daily return flight, from Grenada to San Juan, departs at 8:30 a.m. and arrives in San Juan at 11:02 a.m. Both LIAT and Caribbean Star are operating daily scheduled flights to Grenada.
Attractions:
Most of Grenada’s sites and attractions are open for business. These include the Grand Anse Beach, Morne Rouge Beach, Dougaldston Spice Estate, Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station, Levera Beach & National Park, Grand Anse Spice Vendors’ Market, LaSagesse Nature Center, Clabony Sulphur Springs, River Antoine Rum Distillery, Grand Etang National Forest Reserve and Forts Frederick and George.
Carriacou:
Grenada’s sister island is in full operation and accepting tourists. All resorts, restaurants, attractions and tour operators are open for business. Carriacou is reachable with St. Vincent Grenada Air (SVG) via Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. Carriacou is also reachable via The Osprey, a motorized catamaran that departs twice a day from Grenada.
Dive Sector:
Since Hurricane Ivan did not create a big surge or high seas, Grenada’s reefs and wrecks were undisturbed by the storm. All dive shops are therefore currently in full operation. Carriacou’s diving was unaffected by the Hurricane. All tour operators, including Carriacou Silver Diving, Lumbadive and Arawak Divers are consequently in full operation.
January 19, 2005
Posted in: Caribbean