ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES HOTEL & TOURISM ASSOCIATION
The First General Meeting of the SVG Hotel and Tourism Association for 2025 was convened on 25th February at Grenadine House. The meeting was chaired by President Isola Giddings, Manager of Grenadine House. The President reflected on 2024 programme of activities and shared some of the organization’s plans for 2025.
President Giddings pointed out that the year 2024 was one of both challenges and progress. The devastation in the wake of Hurricane Beryl throughout SVG, but more-so the Grenadines, was a sad period for the nation. The rebuilding process of the damaged areas is continuous.
Key highlights for the Association in 2024:
• Training which included Housekeeping, Customer Service, and Hurricane Preparedness.
• Representation by Board Members at important meetings and development symposiums with partners such as Caribbean Natural Resource Institute (CANARI), CARPHA, Invest SVG, the Ministry of Tourism, SVG Tourism Authority, Sustainable Development Unit (SDU), Bureau of Standards, CHTA Marketplace 2024, SUNx Climate Friendly Travel and the first joint meeting between SVG Tourism Authority and SVGHTA which was attended by Minister James, Ms. Mark and Mrs. DaSilva.
• The Association was also pleased to partner with a few of its stake holders to greet cruise ship visitors at the Cruise Ship Terminal.
• The SVGHTA collaborated with the Cardiology Department of Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where it gave back to Health care workers on Union Island, Mayreau, and Canouan during the Christmas season.
• The Adopt-a-School program was presented to the Ministries of Education and Tourism and the SVG Tourism Authority.
• The launch of Restaurant Week 2024 “Taste of Vincy”
• At the Tourism Awards held during Tourism Month, members and their employees were recognized for outstanding performances during the year.
• The Association welcomed 11 new members
Upcoming events will include:
• Completion of the Tourism Channel
• Implementing the “Adopt a School” programme which is supported by The Ministries of Education and Tourism and the SVG Tourism Authority
• Staging of the second Restaurant Week “Taste of Vincy” scheduled for June 22nd to 28th, 2025
• Training
• Tourism Awards
Presentations were also made by the following persons:
• Corporal Barbour on Developing and Strengthening Relationship between the SVG Hotel and Tourism Association and the SVG Police Force
• Ms. Annette Mark, CEO, SVG Tourism Authority
• Ms. Ronika Medford from Lynch Caribbean Brokers.
The meeting was also attended by Mrs. Kay Martin-Jack, Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Pearlette Hannaway, Senior Education Officer for TVET and Mrs. Faylene King, Director of Tourism.
Ms. Giddings urged members to continue to work together to make 2025 a year of even greater achievements for the organization.
