Grenada welcomed President and Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Corporation Arnold Donald with a unique taste of the tri-island destination. Mr. Donald visited on Wednesday after being invited to experience Grenada by Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon. Clarice Modeste-Curwen at the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Conference in Merida, Mexico.
Mr. Donald first paid a courtesy call to Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell where they discussed matters related to the cruise industry and deepening the relationship between the Carnival Corporation and Grenada.
Then the Carnival CEO attended a meet and greet event at the Melville Street Cruise Terminal in which he and his delegation were welcomed by dancers in traditional wear, Moko Jumbies, steel pan music, and tastings of Grenada’s signature chocolate and rum product offerings. The event was attended by stakeholders in the cruise industry including the Ministry of Tourism, Grenada Ports Authority, Tour Operators, Water taxi Operators, Taxi Drivers among others.
Speaking to the gathering, CEO Donald thanked Grenada for a wonderful experience saying, “Your hospitality is world renowned and spoken of highly by people all around the world. This is my first trip to Grenada and I have to say that all the things I have heard were understatements. You have exceeded our very high expectations with your hospitality.”
He further stated, “Last year we brought over 150,000 guests here and during the course of the year we will be looking at those numbers again and in the future we hope to expand.”
Manager for Nautical Development at the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) Nikoyan Roberts updated the Carnival Corporation delegation and stakeholders on the steps being taken through the public/private sector cruise consultancy project to elevate the visitor experience in Pure Grenada. “Our team has designed and installed directional signage at the Melville Street Cruise Terminal and around the Carenage into the terminal. We have also designed eight interpretative storyboards to be installed at the cruise terminal so when passengers come off the ship they can see different attractions around Grenada, book a tour and share amazing experiences with locals,” she said.
Addressing the visiting Carnival team, Tourism Minister Modeste-Curwen said, “We are open to working more closely with the Carnival brand to bring more visitors and share with them what God has blessed us with in Grenada.”
On September 24, Grenada’s Winter Cruise Ship Season 2018/2019 will officially open with the inaugural visit of Carnival Breeze.
