2021 News

Pure Grenada, Getting Tougher on Marine Waste

St. George’s, Grenada W.I. – 17th February, 2021 – Pure Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean is taking important steps to further protect its marine environment for future generations while creating opportunities for the sector. The tri-island nation is working with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to develop a public private sector partnership to reduce marine waste coming from pleasure vessels such as yachts.

The project dubbed ‘Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystem Management in the Caribbean for Small Island Developing States’, will examine Grenada and Carriacou’s current capacity and create research-based solutions to deal with waste in an eco-friendly manner.

Additionally, Grenada is set to implement a Marine Waste Management policy with amendments to the existing legislation and the introduction of accompanying regulations. This policy is aimed at setting up a management system for marine waste management, including monitoring, funding, penalties and cost structures.  Confident that this is a positive action to manage Grenada’s fisheries sustainably, Permanent Secretary (Ag.) wrf Fisheries and Co-operatives in the Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts, Fisheries & Co-operatives Mr. Michael Stephen stated, “Grenada is an International Maritime Organization (IMO) member and will comply with measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to prevent marine pollution from ships.”

The Grenada Ports Authority (GPA) is the country’s focal point for international maritime matters falling under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).   The General Manager, Mr. Carlyle Felix, affirmed, “The Grenada Ports Authority reiterates its support for the proposed policy and looks forward to a timely adoption of the IMO’s Caribbean Small Commercial Vessels Code. We are convinced that its adoption will promote cleaner seas, which is one of the pillars of an ocean based economy.”

Speaking of these important steps in marine waste management, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Climate Resilience and the Environment Ms. Desiree Stephen says, “Grenada is a geo tourism destination in which the marine environment is significant to the livelihoods of many Grenadians, for fishing, diving, Tourism and recreation. Taking these important steps now will ensure that future generations will be able to reap economic and other benefits.”

To support these and other activities in the local yachting sector including destination marketing is the newly formed Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) Subcommittee on Yachting. The members are Karen Stiell, representing the Marine and Yachting Association of Grenada (MAYAG), Nicholas George representing Sportfishing, Charlotte Fairhead representing Camper & Nicholson Port Louis Marina and GTA Nautical Development Manager Nikoyan Roberts. The subcommittee is energized about further maximizing Grenada’s position as the gateway to the Grenadines and a globally recognized responsible yachting destination.

British Virgin Islands Invites Visitors to “Find Yourself” in the BVI

Tortola, British Virgin Islands, 18^th February, 2021….Find yourself in the British Virgin Islands!  On Thursday, 18^th February, the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission launched an exciting new destination video and digital marketing promotion inviting guests to do just that.

After experiencing the rigors of COVID-19 including spending time in quarantine, isolation and getting adjusted to the new normal, many persons have lost their sense of self.  The British Virgin Islands presents itself as the ideal vacation destination for guests to unwind and, once again, find themselves in this Sailing Capital of the World.

The new destination video, shot by local resident and social media influencer Alton Bertie, invites guests to, “Find Yourself’ engaging in different activities in the BVI and directly asks guests to: Find Your Hidden Treasure; Find Your Freedom; Find Your Palate; Find Your Sense of Adventure; Find Your Enlightenment and finally, Find Yourself.  Additionally, each week for the duration of the promotion, two video clips showcasing persons “finding themselves” in the Territory will be released to entice participation in the competition.

According to Director of Tourism Clive McCoy, “Finding Yourself speaks to wellness of body, mind and spirit, as we reconnect with ourselves through various experiences, including relaxation, adventure activities, culinary immersion and wellness treatments.”

Between 18^th February and 18^th March 2021, both prospective guests and guests already in the destination will have the opportunity to win prizes in a competition inspired by the video. Travelers not yet in the destination will have an opportunity to win a grand prize of 2 roundtrip airline ticket between St. Thomas, USVI and Tortola, BVI, or San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Tortola BVI; and a 5-night complimentary stay at a local villa; an estimated overall value of approximately $2,500.  Meanwhile, each week for the duration of the competition, one lucky guest already in the BVI will win a branded British Virgin Islands luxury executive gift bag replete with exciting BVI gift items.

To enter the competition, both groups of travelers will be required to submit creative presentations in digital video or photo format, on Facebook and Instagram, showing how or where they have “found themselves” or will “find themselves” in the British Virgin Islands.  A winner for the competition between guests already in the Territory will be announced weekly, while the grand prize for the prospective guests will be announced the week following the end of the competition on 18^th March.  The grand prize winner will be required to complete travel between 1^st April and 31^st December 2021.

For competition rules, terms and conditions visit: www.bvitourism.com/findyourself.

French Saint-Martin’s video: “Can’t help falling in love with Saint-Martin”

A marketing campaign “In 2021, Valentine’s Day is to be celebrated in Saint-Martin”, was launched on February 1st by the French Saint-Martin Tourist Office. This campaign is currently providing great social-media exposure for several hotels, resorts on the French part of the island offering great hotels deals with a booking window up until March 31^st, 2021 but your stay can be between now and March 2022.

You can consult all the deals on www.st-martin.org

As a continuation of this campaign—and to promote our beautiful destination worldwide as a place for romance and romantic getaways—the Tourist Office has a brand-new promotional video to show you!

The musical theme of the video is an ode to Love, inspired by the song “Can’t help falling in love”, performed for the first time by Elvis Presley in 1961. With subtle influences from Pop Rock, Reggaeton, Dance Hall, and Zouk/Kizomba, this music reflects the human and multicultural richness of the Friendly Island. Fun fact: the voices are actually those of the team at the Tourist Office, making this 100% made-in-Saint Martin production even more authentic!

The video was produced by local filmmaker Théo Demanez, whose incredible talent recently won him the GoPro Million Dollar Challenge Award for the second time! His modern yet elegant video is a beautiful account of several happy couples and their stay here. You’ll be inspired by the idyllic landscapes, moments of local life, activities, and gastronomy, all in a 2:30 format that is particularly well-adapted to social networks.

You can really feel the modern romantic mood: we guarantee that if you come to the island, you’ll fall deeper in love with your partner—and with Saint Martin!

This video is a great promotional tool for the destination, and it will be seen across the globe throughout the year, as romance rolls on. The song “Can’t help falling in love with Saint Martin” will also be played on local radio stations!

From February 14th, you can watch the video on the Tourist Office’s Facebook page—and play your part in promoting the island by sharing it with your contacts!  https://www.facebook.com/iledesaintmartin.

Belize’s Maritime Borders Now Open for Yachting Tourism

Belize City, Belize, Tues, February 16, 2021:   Belize has officially reopened its maritime borders for yachting tourism. The authorized maritime ports of entry will be San Pedro, Belize City and Placencia.

The reopening has been approved under the following conditions:

• A licensed shipping agent is required for the vessel to enter. Only shipping agents with special licenses are authorized to deal with these non-commercial vessels and are authorized to charge a set tariff of no more than US $150 for their service.
• Notice to enter must be made at least 72 hours prior to arrival.
• The yacht’s crew and passengers must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon entry. Both PCR (taken within 72 hours of arrival) and Rapid Antigen (taken within 48 hours of arrival) tests are accepted. Visit travelbelize.org/health-safety for detailed health and safety protocols.

The Belize Port Authority, the regulatory agency for Belize’s maritime borders, is confident that yachting tourism can be carried out safely by following approved local and international health guidelines along with established boarding procedures and protocols.

Yachting tourism in Belize is a niche market with tremendous potential for further growth. COVID-19 has caused many families to rethink travel and yachting tourism allows for families to vacation safely within a “bubble”. Belize’s pristine waters and pleasant tropical climate offer the ideal setting for yachting vacations where visitors can enjoy fishing, snorkeling, diving and many other attractions safely.