St. Vincent and the Grenadines Launches EC$22 Million Boost for Tourism Sector Recovery Post-Hurricane Beryl

Tourism Minister Carlos James has announced that St. Vincent and the Grenadines' tourism sector, which suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Beryl on July 1, may take nearly two years to recover. The Southern Grenadines, the region most affected, relies heavily on tourism. In response, the government has dedicated EC$22 million for home repairs and prioritized support for small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), which are vital for sustainable livelihoods.

The recovery package includes EC$8 million for income support to tourism stakeholders and an additional EC$500,000 for the Promoting Youth Micro Enterprises program, aimed specifically at residents of the Grenadines. Additionally, EC$1.5 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation of tourism sites nationwide.

Two technical experts from the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) have recently completed a rapid assessment of the tourism sector in the Grenadines. Minister James stated that this assessment will guide the ministry and industry stakeholders on future steps and further evaluations.

Starting this week, nearly every officer from the St. Vincent Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Authority will be deployed to the Southern Grenadines, including Mayreau, Union Island, Canouan, and Bequia. These officers will conduct interviews and gather data from tourism sector stakeholders to better understand the needs and challenges faced by the industry.

Moreover, James emphasized the need for a tourism disaster management framework in line with the United Nations’ Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. This policy initiative aims to improve preparedness and response in the immediate aftermath of natural hazards, ensuring the sector's resilience and sustainable recovery in the future.