Grenada is taking several steps upmarket with a multi-billion-dollar investment by British entrepreneur Peter de Savary that he claims will turn the Spice Island into the Caribbean’s answer to St Tropez.
De Savary’s Mount Cinnamon resort, featuring a mix of high-end villas and haciendas, opened this year. Still to come is his Port Louis development, combining hotel and residential properties, restaurants and a luxury marina.
This is positive news for an island that, three years ago, was devastated by Hurricane Ivan. Hotels were damaged and the rainforest flattened, resulting in the near-destruction of tourism.
Recovery started last year, when UK visitors leapt more than 60% to just over 25,000. The number of cruise ship visits also increased, from 41 in 2005 to 46 last year.
Joining the Grenada stand is LaSource, which reopened this winter after a three-year renovation forced by Hurricane Ivan.
As well as promoting the island’s rainforest at World Travel Market, the Grenada Board of Tourism will be raising awareness of Grenada’s sister islands Carriacou and Petite Martinique.