Grenada Spices Your Life with Natural Beauty, Delectable Cuisine
By William Doyle-Marshall
“Grenada has it all. Come see for yourself”. This phrase remained with me after leaving a recent event at which Alitours International Inc. of Toronto launched its promotional campaign for Grenada as a destination where Canadians must experience.
It was a small but honestly impressive dinner occasion as media practitioners viewed a dvd presentation highlighting the spices of the island, its carnival and regatta and other attractions. We also listened to representatives like Jenny Gumbs, Consul General, as she casually sold us on the idea of visiting the isle of Spice. It was no high powered in yuh face kind of promotion. You did not have to wait for the glitz and glamour to settle then search for details. It was there in simple, easy to understand language.
After speaking casually about the island’s beautiful fauna and flora, Ms. Gumbs said matter of factly “The lush vegetation, the delectable cuisine, 45 beautiful white sandy beaches, there is just so much that we have that we are so proud of as a people to offer you; so we do invite you to come.”
You walked away convinced it is time to put Grenada on your agenda for a real vacation away from the northern clime. One thing that always entices people to go somewhere is the term “tours suited to every taste”. And not only were we told so but through the presentation and from numerous comments by Grenada specialists you got the distinct impression that if you did not go to the three-island state -- Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique -- something will be missing from your life.
Ian Grant offered a bold piece of advice when said Grenada is not a place to get drunk and behave bad. That truly touched me because I belong to the school of thought and practice that it is not necessary to consume alcoholic beverage and become stupified. A social drink is okay and you must always be in control of yourself.
This summer from June 29 weekly until September 7, Alitours is offering packages to Grenada that include air, transfers and accommodation at any of the hotels. Alitour plans bringing people from Italy via Toronto to catch whatever straight flights can be offered from Toronto straight to Grenada. There are very few carriers that operate the Toronto-Grenada route so Alitours personnel are negotiating with Titan Tours and GG Tours to try and expand the travel programme. Caribbean Airlines has recently increased flights to Grenada and this ought to be an incentive for Alitours and Grenada as a whole to fly Canadians down for them to enjoy the spicy space in the sun.
I can’t forget the reminder from Maureen Wright, the island’s publicist that Grenada is an outstanding place. Yes it is a small. There are no major hotel chains to monopolize the place. Indeed there are no hotels higher than a palm tree so you can get an unobstructed view of the place. All hotels are privately owned. “You don’t get the multi-story hotels that you often get in other islands,” Ms. Wright promised.
“It is a wonderful island destination. It is quite unique amongst the Eastern Caribbean islands,” the publicist disclosed.
Governments has allocated one sixth of its land mass to national parks so that the integrity of the environment as well as the natural and bountiful resources of the island could be preserved.
“I would advise any of you, if you go for a hike in Grand Etang to actually have some water if you get to a certain water fall; it is exactly like Perrier and this is wonderful to be able to drink water to experience some of the water that you get in the Grand Etang and also out of the area that is the volcanic cradle of the Grand E Tang,” Wright advised.
In terms of travel documents, a valid passport and return or onward ticket is required. For Canadian citizens, proof of citizenship bearing a photograph is acceptable. This same courtesy is also extended to our American and British cousins. See for yourself by going on the website -- www.grenadagrenadines.com

June 16, 2011