Blog

COVID-19 Protocol for diving from Yachts and Vessels Updated 25 February 2021

This protocol describes the procedure to be followed by the dive schools on Statia and divers from yachts and other vessels to allow diving with instructors from Statia while minimalizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission. It applies for yachts and vessels who have been in a high risk country during the last 14 days.

Yachts and Vessels from low risk countries are upon request permitted to dock in the harbour.

Download: COVID-19 Protocol for diving from Yachts and Vessels Updated 25 February 2021

Tobago Tourism Agency Welcomes Airport Expansion for Industry recovery

SCARBOROUGH Tobago, Friday February 19, 2021: The Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL) welcomes the development of a world class, state-of-the-art international airport terminal for Tobago in 2022, which will increase the destination’s attractiveness and strengthen the Agency’s COVID-19 recovery and resilience strategy for the tourism industry.

The ANR Robinson International Airport Expansion Project will include the construction of a new terminal and several other upgrades, including an expansion of the tarmac and a new car park. According to the Tobago House of Assembly, two of the major areas of focus for the project are ensuring sustainability and minimising environmental impact, which is in keeping with the TTAL’s emphasis on industry development that aligns with Tobago’s brand of unspoilt, untouched and undiscovered.

Mr. Louis Lewis, CEO of the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited stated:

“The Tobago Tourism Agency Limited fully endorses the airport redevelopment and expansion project. We are looking forward to it with great anxiety, to change the narrative around the quality of the product in Tobago as we seek to transform it to become more economically viable.

An airport facility is no longer considered as simply a transit point, it is part of the visitor experience. It is where visitors will gain their first impression of what to expect beyond the entry point, and it is also the facility that gives a departing visitor the last impression of a destination. 

Those two elements in the visitor stay contribute significantly to our international competitiveness, which is why this project is absolutely critical for the transformation process that we are looking for with regard to the recovery and resilience of tourism in Tobago.”

The Agency has already begun utilizing this milestone expansion project as a selling point for the destination, keeping international travel partners and potential visitors in Tobago’s source markets abreast of key industry developments that can further add to the destination’s international appeal and level of competitiveness.

In Germany, the Agency partnered with influential media publication Reservoir 9, to share what makes Tobago a perfect holiday destination and why travellers should visit the island, and the airport expansion was used as an example of Tobago’s key tourism developments to entice visitors.

Dr. Sherma Roberts, Chair of the Tobago Tourism Agency’s Board of Directors, emphasised the significance of the airport expansion project for destination Tobago.

“Coming after the Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the new ANR International Airport would have the distinction of being the newest in the region! It is a wonderful  opportunity to create an architecturally ingenious facility that integrates modern technologies,  reflects current and future passenger and air transportation needs, enhances entrepreneurial opportunities for local residents, stimulates foreign exchange and that serves as a premier regional attraction in and of itself.

 I am hopeful that this new airport would be iconic in every sense, reflective of the person in whose honour it is named. As a Board, we are excited to welcome this game changer that would significantly bolster the Agency’s efforts to reposition destination Tobago…..Beyond Ordinary.”

St. Kitts Launches #RetieTheKnot Photo Contest

Basseterre, St. Kitts (February 17, 2021) – St. Kitts is launching the #RetieTheKnot photo contest inviting couples in the United States, to submit their favorite wedding picture for a chance to win a trip for 2 to the island of St. Kitts and a stay at the Park Hyatt.

Through March 14, 2021, anyone who would like to enter the contest should select their favorite wedding photo and submit it through the dedicated entry page found on the St. Kitts Tourism Authority website at www.stkittstourism.kn/retie-the-knot along with a 75-word description that tells the story behind the image. At the conclusion of the entry period a panel of judges will select 5 finalists. The 5 finalist photos will be shared to the website and voted upon by the general public. The voting period will run from March 17^th through March 31^st and the winner will be announced by April 30, 2021.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Dreamy Weddings Group to host the first ever Group Vow Renewal in St. Kitts,” said Racquel Brown, CEO of the St.  Kitts Tourism Authority. “Most couples, never think of renewing their Vows, why not? Whether you have been married a year, 5 years, 25 years or more, participating in our first Group Vow Renewal, November 6^th, 2021, is for you. We combined the opportunity to win a trip to St. Kitts and participate in our first Group Vow Renewal, November 6^th, 2021, with a contest inviting you to submit your best wedding photo and 75 words on the story behind it. This opportunity allows us to increase brand awareness amongst couples throughout the U.S. and reach the discerning traveler who seeks new experiences.”

The winner of the contest will receive a trip for 2 to St. Kitts in November 2021 with a 4-night stay at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts. As part of the trip, the couple will be invited to participate in St. Kitts’ first ever Group Vow Renewal designed by the world-renowned wedding planners at Dreamy Weddings.

Those who cast their vote will be asked to submit their email and will automatically be entered into a sweepstakes to win 1 of 10 prize packs. Themed prize packs will include authentic products from St. Kitts.

The contest is open to legal residents of the U.S., including D.C. who are 18 years of age or older and are currently married. The trip must be taken to attend the Group Vow Renewal on Saturday, November 6, 2021. The voting sweepstakes is open to all legal residents of the U.S., including D.C. who are 18 years of age or older.

Travelers should regularly check the St. Kitts Tourism Authority (www.stkittstourism.kn) website for updates and information on current travel requirements.

Viking Explorers Praise Pure Grenada Experience

St. George’s, Grenada W.I. – 17th February, 2021 – Sailors from all over the world converged in Grenada to enjoy the island after crossing the Atlantic (from the Canary Islands) in the 4^th Viking Explorers Transatlantic Rally. In this family friendly race, six boats completed the 3000-mile event and enjoyed a safe respite in Grenada, following all COVID-19 protocols.

On arrival, each team was greeted by the Camper and Nicholson Port Louis Marina Manager Charlotte Fairhead and the Nautical Development Team at the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) with a basket of fine Grenadian products. They were then guided by the efficient Ministry of Health team through the health screening process.

After enjoying adventure, pristine beaches, stunning waterfalls, lively island tours and connecting with locals, the Viking Explorers ended with a truly Caribbean sendoff of camaraderie, flavorful local cuisine, steelpan music and tasty cocktails at Port Louis’ Victory Bar.

At the closing ceremony, Site Office was awarded the prize for biggest boat of the fleet and Strummer for being the smallest boat. Robert Pedersen of SV Aurora was recognized as the youngest captain and Robin Jan Vlug, from Billby, the oldest one. The prize for the newest boat went to INUKSUK III while Clementine received the Spirit of the Viking Explorers award.

GTA Nautical Development Administrative Assistant Chinel Sandy attended the closing ceremony wishing the teams a safe journey home and encouraging them to share their warm memories of Grenada with family and friends. Port Louis Manager Charlotte Fairhead praised the sailors for their adventurous spirit and expressed confidence that the crew members would visit Grenada again after their experience.

Terry Pimentel of INUKSUK III loved his Pure Grenada experience saying, “Grenada has been extremely welcoming to us. You have allowed us to arrive with the proper COVID 19 protocols. We visited the Spice Market, Seven Sisters Waterfalls and met amazing generous people. Coming back to Grenada is definitely in the cards for us.”

Petter Clementson of the Swedish boat Clementine was also in high praise saying, “It’s been really great from the beginning. We visited Hog Island, then went up to Carriacou for amazing diving and snorkeling. We visited Sandy Island which is something I will remember for the rest of my life with the palms and beautiful sand.”

The six boats completing the Viking Explorers Transatlantic Rally were Bilby, Clementine, INUKSUK III, Site Office, SV Aurora and Strummer with crews representing Sweden, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, Canada, Bermuda, France and the United Kingdom.

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.