Building on its growing reputation as one of the Caribbean’s top yachting hotspots, Grenada has made a major push to expand its share of the global luxury nautical tourism market with a high-profile presence at the 2024 Palm Beach International Boat Show in West Palm Beach, Florida. The mission, led by the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA), wrapped up successfully after days of targeted engagement with key industry stakeholders, marking a key milestone in the organization’s long-term strategy.
Heading the GTA delegation were CEO Stacey Liburd and Nautical Development Manager Shanai St Bernard. The trip was not a casual industry appearance, but a calculated step in GTA’s broader plan to solidify the tri-island nation of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique as the Caribbean’s leading hub for luxury yacht charters, permanent homeporting, and world-class nautical tourism services.
At the core of the GTA’s mission was an invitation-only Brokers Breakfast, co-hosted with international industry leader Boat International Media. The exclusive gathering brought together senior decision-makers from the world’s most influential luxury yacht brokerage firms, including Ocean Independence, IYC, Fraser, Burgess, Camper & Nicholsons, and Denison Yachting. During the curated forum, the GTA team delivered a detailed presentation showcasing the tri-island state’s competitive advantages for luxury yachting: modern, well-equipped marina infrastructure, protected, calm anchorages, accessible open cruising routes, a wide range of soft onshore adventure activities, and one-of-a-kind scuba diving experiences that draw enthusiasts from across the globe. By facilitating direct, personalized engagement between the GTA and leading brokerage professionals, the initiative ensures Grenada stays top of mind when these experts make destination recommendations to high-net-worth clients.
In comments after the event, Liburd emphasized that the Palm Beach mission was rooted in deliberate, strategic outreach. “Our mission at Palm Beach was defined by intentionality,” Liburd said. “By connecting directly with the architects of the world’s most prestigious yachting itineraries, we are ensuring Grenada is continuously recognised as a premier destination for the global fleet. We remain dedicated to cultivating these kinds of partnerships that secure a resilient future for our tourism industry.”
Beyond the broker-focused breakfast, the GTA team expanded the reach of its yachting campaign through a full schedule of media and corporate partnership meetings. One key session included representatives from luxury lifestyle outlet Robb Report, as part of the authority’s ongoing, yachting-focused global marketing push. Discussions with core industry partners centered on deepening existing collaborative relationships and exploring new pathways for strategic growth with Boat International and other leading yachting sector stakeholders. By boosting Grenada’s visibility in the high-end luxury travel space, these engagements reinforce the tri-island state’s standing as a first-choice destination for elite yacht charters and maritime tourism investment.
St Bernard highlighted how participation in these major international events drives long-term development for Grenada’s blue economy. “These engagements are critical to the evolution of our blue economy. Throughout this event, we sent a clear message: Grenada offers the infrastructure and the authentic experience that luxury clients around the globe demand,” St Bernard explained. She added that the GTA is building on the momentum from this and other industry events to firmly cement the tri-island nation’s position as the preferred yachting hub in the Southern Caribbean for elite charters.
Moving forward, the Grenada Tourism Authority will continue prioritizing these strategic industry partnerships to grow Grenada’s global market share in luxury yachting and support sustainable, long-term growth for the islands’ key nautical tourism sector.