Advertisement
Grenada Forecast to Surpass EC$1 Billion in Visitor Spending for Second Consecutive Year
From our correspondent
Roseau, Dominica – October 23 2026 — Grenada is on track to record visitor expenditure exceeding EC$1 billion for a second consecutive year in 2026, following a record EC$1.047 billion in spending in 2025. Figures released by the Grenada Tourism Authority indicate that visitor expenditure increased by 20.4 per cent between 2023 and 2025, reflecting continued growth in the tourism sector. The International Monetary Fund’s October 2026 Regional Economic Outlook also projects economic growth of 3.9 per cent for Grenada this year, the highest rate among the Caribbean economies classified by the institution as tourism-dependent.
Tourism Minister Adrian Thomas said the sector’s performance reinforces its importance to the country’s overall development. “This performance underscores tourism’s importance to Grenada’s national development,” he stated, while emphasizing the need to protect the cultural and natural resources that attract visitors. Thomas added that continued progress would depend on investing in people and infrastructure while ensuring that tourism contributes to the country’s long-term prosperity.
A breakdown of the 2025 figures shows that stayover visitors generated EC$984.9 million in expenditure, representing a 5.14 per cent increase over 2024. Cruise visitor spending recorded a sharper rise of 56.6 per cent, reaching EC$61.9 million over the same period. Projections for 2026 anticipate an additional EC$20.9 million in visitor spending, bringing the overall total to EC$1.068 billion, with expenditure from stayover visitors alone expected to exceed EC$1 billion. Grenada also recorded a 20 per cent increase in visitor arrivals during the August 2–11, 2026, Spicemas period compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
Grenada Tourism Authority Chairman Randall Dolland described the projected performance as an important achievement, while calling for stronger links between tourism and the wider economy. “Our priority must be to deepen the connections between tourism and the wider economy, creating more opportunities for Grenadian businesses to supply the sector and for communities to participate in its success,” Dolland said. He stressed that the country’s culinary traditions, cultural heritage and natural environment should provide greater opportunities for local enterprises and livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Kirl Grant-Hoschtialek, the Authority’s Chief of Operations and Acting Chief Executive Officer, said Grenada’s future competitiveness would depend on the quality of its visitor experiences and the destination’s ability to encourage longer stays and repeat visits. Looking towards 2027, she identified the Pure Experiences programme as a key initiative for expanding community-based tourism and directing more economic benefits towards locally operated businesses. The Authority’s development priorities include culinary tourism, heritage and culture, wellness, and nautical tourism, with the programme designed to connect visitors with experiences across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
Related news:
Register now online at SwiftPac.com to receive your packages in St. Maarten
St. Maarten Recognises Schools for Commitment to Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Caribbean Firefighters Adopt Regional Measures to Combat Occupational Cancer
Prominent Educator Jacinta “Jess” Bannis Launches Debut Novel Amid 70th Birthday Celebrations
UWI Mona Principal Densil Williams Receives Jamaica’s Order of Distinction
Dominica’s Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste Recognised Among 100 FAO Women Heroes
###
ADVERTISEMENT
