St. George’s, December 2, 2010 – A weekend visit to Grenada by a group of 100 Barbadians, including that country’s Tourism Minister, is being viewed as a potential new opportunity for increasing inter-island tourism.

Richard Sealy, the Barbadian Minister of Tourism, and his delegation arrived in Grenada on two chartered LIAT flights for the weekend visit that was arranged months ago in London, England.

Discussions started when Mr. Sealy met former Grenada Tourism Minister, Glynis Roberts, at a tourism meeting in London.

“He indicated that he and his staff were thinking of doing a get-together somewhere in the Caribbean. He chose Grenada for the weekend social event,’’ said Mrs. Roberts, who is now Minister of Labour, Social Security and Ecclesiastical Affairs.

She and cabinet colleague, Peter David, played hosts to the Barbadian visitors at a social event at Camerhogne Park, Grand Anse.

It was the first official function for Mr. David since his recent reassignment to the portfolio of Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation.

The former Foreign Minister said he was thrilled to welcome Mr. Sealy and his team, and looked forward to the strengthening of ties with Barbados and other CARICOM countries in all areas, including social and cultural.

“This movement of people is positive on many fronts,’’ he said. “For one thing, it keeps our regional tourism industry active and we must find ways to encourage visits to each other’s countries.’’

Minister David said Grenada will consider organising a return weekend visit to Barbados, whose delegation included members of the Tourism Authority and the Airport Authority.

The Barbadians, who have expressed admiration for the reception received in Grenada, were also afforded an island tour in which the Grenada Board of Tourism collaborated with St. George’s University and Mandoo Tours.