On January 30th 2012, the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Toronto Tourism Office joined Tour Operator Alitours to launch its 2012 Caribbean lineup which included Young Island Resort and Canouan Beach Resort. The brewing snow storm outside was the perfect backdrop for travel to our destination. Over 100 top travel agents attended and received promotional brochures and hotel brochures. Following a visit to Canada by Young Island Manager Mrs. Bianca Porter in 2010 and her attendance at a travel agent event organized by this office, Alitours jumped on board to offer them in their Caribbean brochure in 2011 and now in 2012. Canouan Beach Resort was also approached by Alitours to join their listing of St. Vincent and the Grenadines properties which hopefully will expand next year.

The Quality Assurance Unit of the SVG Tourism Authority is continuing the assessment of stakeholders who have pre-registered for the implementation of minimum standards to guide the local tourism sector. The assessments aim to ensure that tourism business and individuals operating in the sector are made aware of the importance of the standards and their role in ensuring the minimum standards are met. The targeted stakeholders are short-term vehicle rental operators, tour operators and tourism accommodation properties.

The St. Vincent & the Grenadines Tourism Authority had the pleasure of hosting UK based Journalist Mr. Alex Dalzell on a familiarisation tour of St. Vincent & the Grenadines from January 28th to February 5th 2012. Mr. Dalzell’s visit to the destination will be featured in ‘National Geographic Magazine’, as well as in the ‘Vertu Newsletter’ which goes to HNWIs (High Net Worth Individuals) with the exclusive Vertu phone.

In January 2012, Prince William joined his wife Catherine - the Duchess of Cambridge, ‘Duchess Kate’ - and her family for a vacation in Mustique. Duchess Kate’s mom celebrated her birthday during this Caribbean Getaway.