Grenada – new initiative – pure and very green

Glorious, Different and Pure – Caribbean spice Island looks for its place in the eco-sun

Recently we visited Grenada to cover the Executive Symposium for Coastal Tourism and took the opportunity to see just how well Grenada performs in the sustainability stakes.

We found that Grenada and the Grenadines – Carriacou and Petite Martinique are a lot more that a few typical Caribbean Islands.

Yes, of course they have the superb beaches, the warm Caribbean sea, the cutting-edge relaxed attitude and the swaying palm trees.

But it’s what they do different that counts…

The newly released Pure Grenada  initiative supported by Compete Caribbean  -focuses on making Grenada and the Grenadines not only better at what they are very good at – diving, sailing, fishing, adventure and romantic holidays – but very sustainable at them too. CEO Rudy Grant talks about it HERE 

Plus, the idea is to incorporate all the other massive assets that Grenada has in a set of superb and sustainable tourism products and make the world aware of them.

And, from the top to the bottom – the country is committed to sustainability – Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Alexandra Otway-Noel even took time from the cricket to tell us about it HERE 

For instance – there is nothing like a combination of diving and art! Tourists are already visiting the amazing underwater sculpture park   Now they can not only visit Grenada’s range of four undersea wrecks, and an almost pristine coral reef, but also see evocative sculptures under the sea.

The range of wildlife opportunities doesn’t stop there – at the north of the island there is a sea turtle hatchery! All turtles go back to where they were hatched for the amazingly laborious process of laying their eggs – in Grenada’s case it’s in the north of the island. Not only is the egg laying a spectacular sight – but the little turtles hatching out and making the break for the sea and relatively safety is amazing. http://about.me/spectogrenada

For many years the islands have been known as the ‘Spice Islands’ because of the heady aroma of the spices grown – in particular nutmeg. But also Grenada is well known for its cocoa – and now a fantastic ‘Tree to Bar’ chocolate factory – it is said to be the best chocolate in the world. Belmont Estate Agri-tourism establishment  is also becoming a great tourist draw and the delicious chocolate advertises Grenada all over the world. 

And you don’t have to worry about food miles when you buy Grenada chocolate even in Europe – it is ferried by the Tres Hombres,   a square-rigged Brigantine powered by wind and the sun! Part of the FairTransport system – even makes your chocolate taste that little bit more guilt-free!

Most places do a bit of walking – and in fact walking around this island is a never-to-be forgotten experience, the hills and the mountains are truly delightful. But ever heard of Grenada Hash House Harriers? Not what you think! A runner goes out into a forest with bits of paper – then everybody else chases him. A great experience for all ages and even more interesting in Grenada   

What is Hash House Harriers? FIND OUT HERE

Another visitor experience not to be missed is St George’s University – not only is it really beautiful but also it is really productive and a key issue in Grenada’s knowledge economy. Students who stay for a year or two are not only good quality tourists, but with an island like this, the likelihood is that they’ll stay for even longer.

All this plus great opportunities for sport fishing, sailing regattas, amazingly friendly people and great local food.

What more could you want? Somewhere to stay? Obviously there is lots of good quality accommodation. But in particular there are superb Green Globe certified eco hotels including:

Blue Horizons Garden Resort 

Calabash Grenada Hotel 

Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort 

Spice Island Beach Resort 

True Blue Bay Resort

And one eco-establishment worth a mention is the Maca Bana with superb solar-powered villas (all with plunge-pools), a very upmarket restaurant and a lovely beach.

Further hotel info from Grenada Hotel and Tourist Association:

The fact is that from the bottom to the top, Grenada not only knows the penalties of climate change but has mad a visceral commitment to develop their tourism and their island’s economy sustainably – as was evidenced at the recent conference on Sustainable Tourism

Valere Tjolle @ValereTjolle [email protected]

Latest sustainable tourism offer: A Past, Present and Future Full of Opportunities HERE