ST. GEORGES,
Grenada -- How has Grenada fared since Hurricane Ivan pummeled it
and what are its prospects for the upcoming season?
As background,
Grenada was destroyed by the might of Ivans 150 mph winds, pounding
rains and storm surges on Sept. 7, 2004.
The category five
storm destroyed 90% of the homes and 70% of the hotel inventory of
2,000 rooms, stripped the islands foliage, closed several of its
nutmeg processing stations, estates and plantations and shut down
power, water and tourism arrivals for several months.
However, four
months after Ivans unwelcome visit, Brenda Hood, Grenadas minister
of tourism, declared that Hurricane Ivan is history. Grenada is
rebuilding and moving forward.
Indeed, Grenadas
story since Ivan is one of comeback and rebound, and the pace has
accelerated in the past several months.
Grenada
rebuilding
By last January,
the island had reopened most of its major attractions, welcomed
back cruise ships a month after Ivans visit, 
opened its $24 million mega-cruise facility
and welcome center on Dec. 12 and was well on its way to its
five-year master plan of recovery and rebuilding.
Still to come on
that project is duty-free shopping and retail outlets, part of a
$400 million redevelopment plan for St. Georges set for completion
in 2010.
Electricity was
restored sector by sector, more than 1,000 hotel room were back on
line and tourism officials cautiously predicted that cruise
visitors would top 280,000 this year, a 20% increase over the first
nine months of 2004 and well above figures for all of
2003.
Now, as Grenada
heads into the peak winter season, the picture is a bright one. The
island escaped further hurricane damage this year, except for a few
nervous moments earlier this summer when several storms threatened
but delivered only heavy rainfall and little physical
damage.
The Grenada
Tourist Board has reported that efforts to rebuild and enhance its
tourism industry product are proving successful, with new and
enhanced attractions available and most of the hotels now open or
soon to be.
One year into its
rebuilding campaign, Grenadas slogan of Build Back Better reflects
the islands efforts to re-create a destination that will exceed
visitor expectations, according to Naline Joseph, head of marketing
for the tourist board.
Island
improving products, services
And it is not
just a rebuilding of the old that has taken place, but new products
and services have surfaced.
Several of
Grenadas ground operators now offer new options for their leisure
visitors.
First Impressions
introduced adventure river tubing and enhanced its whale-watching
expeditions by adding video and audio equipment.
Tourism Services,
another company that offers adventure Jeep and mountain biking,
also added tubing on the Balthazar River, priced at $45 per person
for the 60-to-90 minute adventures that include equipment, a safety
briefing and refreshments.
Training programs
were launched this past summer, directed at taxi drivers,
water-taxi operators, ground operators, vendors and hotel staff to
ensure that the upcoming winter season would meet visitors
expectations, according to Joseph.
Sites and
where they stand
In the
attractions arena, the Grand Etang National Parks Welcome Center,
the Belmont Estate, the Bon Accord facility, Leapers Hill and Fort
Frederick will soon reopen.
The buildings at
Grand Etang, including the welcome center, interpretation facility,
gazebos, public rest rooms and trails, will be ready for visitors
at the end of this month.
Repairs are
nearly complete to Fort Fredericks rest rooms, vendors booths and
front gate.
Leapers Hill will
be ready by Dec. 15 with a new gazebo, railings and an
interpretation center.
The third phase
of the rebuilding project will include the construction of vendors
booths, a bridge and a footpath.
All of Grenadas
boatyards, marinas and marine suppliers are back in business.
Resurfacing of key roadways all over the island is an ongoing
project.
For further
information, visit www.grenadagrenadines.com.
To contact
reporter Gay Nagle Myers, send e-mail to [email protected].