The ‘Grenada Gateway Business Project” is a ‘Go Carenage’ initiative that invites input, especially from those stakeholders who are not members – but as of now can boast 27 members and 4 directors.  It was registered on July 10th, 2007 and the last meeting held on December 12th, 2007.

The consultant, Aaron Moses, begins his promotion plan by noting that over 90% of cruise ships now berth at that new terminal, and the new bus terminus and Esplanade Mall has “resulted in a considerable pull in pedestrian traffic to the west side of St. George’s.”

Tourist oriented business, including the National Museum, have felt significant decline, especially on the Carenage side.
Some business have strategically relocated to the mall leaving empty buildings up for rent.
Mr. Moses speaks of old and derelict buildings and may be aware that tourists passing through the area have commented with wonder that a location as beautiful as this appears so forgotten and neglected.  As somebody wrote, “Put two gondolas on the wharf and even Venice is not as pretty.”

“Many tourists who are unable to experience the view and ambience of the Carenage are seriously short-changed, and given this scenario, a Carenage Business Association was formed.”

The first initiative, the ‘Go Carenage’ initiative, fizzled out as it was unable to get much public support.
The Association relisted its priorities:
    To modernize the derelict buildings in town
    A need to update the rent laws
    Improve the lighting on the Carenage

But first there is the need to recognize that some Carenage activities are incompatible with the concept of a pedestrian plaza.

There are schooner activities, which have expanded with the use of steel boats.

The report notes that the old wooden schooners (now down to ‘Adelaide’) were a tourist attraction, just as the old board buses (now down to a few hotel owned).

The responsibility for any new initiative lies with the Grenada Ports Authority, who owns the Welcome Centre at the cruise terminal and is a shareholder in the Associated Mall.

The GPA management has no current plans to relocate the steel boats.

The Board of Tourism says they are awaiting plans by theh GPA for some proactive programme.

The report recalls the Gairy ‘Talent Afloat’ program transforming the area into a musical festival site for one night a month.

Then there is the need to give incentives to taxi operators to bring tourists in at designated times, and also a need to encourage the vendors and retail shops to pay attention to uniqueness and diversity of product, most of all, bring back the water taxis’.

Hereunder is a list of recommendations by the Association at its December 12th meeting:

•    Advertising on eight cruise ships cost US$1,200.00 – this can be done as a group.
•    Maps be prepared and circulated to cruise ships at the Welcome Centers.
•    Uniformed walking guides;
•    The parking space at the back of the museum should be reserved on cruise ship days.
•    Loading of vessels be restricted to certain hours.  Generally, boat mooring ropes should not be allowed to obstruct pedestrian traffic.

Mr. Moses notes that an Association is only a first step and that without the support of other stakeholders the initiative will again fizzle out.

This report, he writes, is only a prerequisite to prepare promotion plan and costs … but it is absolutely critical that members meet as a group and decide who will do what and how.