By Val Matthias. Updated 7:33 p.m., Thursday, May 14, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Chief Operating Officer of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority, Shawn Sutherland, has reported record visitor arrivals and outlined new initiatives as he addressed the launch of the “Love SVG” campaign.
Mr Sutherland said tourism continues to play a critical role in the country’s economic development, noting that despite global challenges, St Vincent and the Grenadines has seen renewed investor confidence and increasing international interest. He revealed that in 2025 the destination recorded more than 120,000 stayover arrivals, the highest on record, and for the first quarter of 2026 arrivals increased by around 10 percent each month in January, February and March. He described this as an upward trajectory that is expected to continue throughout the year.
The COO emphasised that airlift and accessibility remain central priorities, with discussions ongoing to strengthen routes, increase flight frequency and improve overall access to the destination. He said private sector confidence is reflected in new tourism investments, which are expected to expand room capacity, support occupancy growth, create employment and stimulate economic activity across both mainland St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Mr Sutherland highlighted several partnerships designed to strengthen destination visibility, including Spirit of St Vincent and the Grenadines with InterCaribbean Airlines, From Track to Tropics with Vincentian NASCAR driver Rajah Crute and Tempo Networks, I Love SVG to promote national pride, GoGrenadines to showcase experiences across the Grenadine islands, and OneFest Caribbean to integrate entertainment and cultural lifestyle into the tourism product. He also pointed to the global reach generated by digital creators and streaming platforms such as IShowSpeed, Below Deck, and David Hoffman’s YouTube channel, which have introduced younger audiences to St Vincent and the Grenadines.
He said the Authority is transitioning to a performance‑driven operational structure, focusing on accountability, data intelligence, digital systems and measurable outcomes. Plans include strengthening the destination’s brand identity through targeted marketing campaigns, influencer partnerships, diaspora engagement and expanded travel trade relationships. Improving visitor experience remains a priority, with emphasis on customer service, community tourism, yachting and marine tourism, cultural and heritage experiences, and destination cleanliness.
Mr Sutherland acknowledged challenges such as regional connectivity, climate resilience, infrastructure development, workforce readiness and sustainability, but said corrective actions are being pursued to strengthen standards, training and collaboration between the public and private sectors. He concluded: “Our vision remains clear. We are committed to building a tourism industry that is sustainable, competitive, modern and inclusive one that creates meaningful opportunities for Vincentians while preserving authenticity, culture and natural beauty.”
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