GREATER MARKETING NEEDED, SAYS TOURISM DIRECTOR

St. George’s, March 25, 2009 (GIS) – Grenada must implement more aggressive marketing, advertising and public relations strategies to attract more visitors to the Tri- island State, says a senior Grenada tourism official.

Tourism Director Williams Joseph issued the call in an interview with the Government Information Service following his participation in a tourism event in Germany called International Trade Bolsa or ITB Berlin.

Mr. Joseph led a 10-member delegation to the March 11 – 15 event, where he met with Condor and Virgin Atlantic officials to discuss the continuation of airline flights to Grenada.

Condor is twinned with Porlamar, a Venezuelan air service that targets low-income earning travelers.

Mr. Joseph said Condor officials expressed concern of the impact of ongoing flights to Grenada, with fewer people expected to travel given the current global economic crisis.

He has suggested that Grenada would have to ensure greater capacity on Condor-bound flights to this country to avoid paying out huge sums under an existing agreement.

“In the past we have performed at an average of 80 seats per flight,” said Mr. Joseph. “While Condor is prepared to continue service, and we’re about to sign a new agreement for winter 2009-2010, we are mindful even now that the performance gap must now be narrowed.’’

He said heavier emphasis should also be placed on Internet and E-marketing strategies, which would also help maintain the Virgin Atlantic service to Grenada.

Under a deal with Virgin, Grenada needs to attract at least 6000 passengers per year.

In this regard, Mr. Joseph also appealed for a marketing commitment targeting passengers flying with Virgin.

“As long as we pay our bills and the marketing strategies are established and are pretty effective, we believe that the results will come,’’ said Mr. Joseph.

The Tourism Director is confident that with the return of La Source on the market and all other major properties now fully in place, Grenada can achieve the airlines’ required passenger levels.