In contemplation of the expected increase in the cruise tourism industry as outlined within the St. George’s Renaissance project. Grenreal Property Corporation Limited has embarked upon a 3 million E.C. dollar upgrade and improvement to its cruise terminal facilities. This upgrade which is expected to be completed before the end of October will see the expansion and improvement of the cruise terminal facilities.
The upgrade will most importantly connect the Jan Bosch Building and the Esplanade Mall which will improve the shopping experience for customers. The new facilities will also create more space for commercial activity. Grenreal has already signed contracts with new tenants for 60 percent of the new space and has received commitments from others who want to occupy the remaining space.
Commenting on the latest expansion, Grenreal Director Winston Whyte said “The cruise port project is one in continuous motion as we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. We must invest in making our facilities better now so that we are prepared to compete in this very competitive market. Success can only be sustained therefore, by continuous activity and improvement.”
Grenreal CEO Dick Van Dijk fully supported Whyte’s comments and said that Grenada is uniquely poised for major development in the cruise ship sector. The CEO said, “Grenada has been able to increase its market share in the Southern Caribbean cruise market which is facing a decline. Although we have encountered slight declines we have not seen the kind of downturn that some other Southern Caribbean destinations have experienced. This season we have nine new ships calling at our port. This presents an exciting opportunity for us. We could potentially see more and more new ships calling at our port every year.
The CEO further went on to explain what the future could hold for Grenada. He noted that the industry was exploring Southern Caribbean and Latin American homeports. “There is a new initiative to move homeports further south. Our location gives us a tremendous advantage. Therefore, I believe that we need now to formulate a focussed cruise industry marketing plan and continue to improve our facilities, said Mr. Van Dijk.
Grenada recently won four major international awards on the occasion of the 2009 Miami Sea Trade Conference. Grenada was presented with the following awards: Most Improved Destination; Most Efficient Terminal Operator; Most Improved Terminal Facilities and Destination With Best Tour Guides.
Grenreal’s Founding Company Zublin is seeking Government and public support for one of the largest Public/Private Sector Partnerships ever embarked upon in Grenada. The St. George’s Renaissance Project will double Grenada’s cruise ship capacity and add major tourism entertainment facilities. Another major component of the St. George’s Renaissance Project is a major upgrading and renewal of the Town of St. George’s with special emphasis on the Carenage.
