‘Our Country Is Safe’: Tourism Chief responds to international coverage of killings 

By Val Matthias. Updated 9:51 a.m., Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

St Vincent and the Grenadines remains a safe destination for tourists and visitors. That assurance has come from Chief Executive Officer of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority, Shafia London, following the four killings recorded in the country on Friday, September 25.

Speaking to SVGTV News, Ms London said, the killings in Green Hill attracted significant attention, with the incident subsequently reported by regional and international news organisations. 

Major regional and international outlets, including AP and Al Jazeera, reported the killings while specifically identifying SVG as a tourism destination.

London acknowledged that the country had received international coverage “for the wrong reasons”, but said crime is not unique to St Vincent and the Grenadines.

She said the country remains, at its core, a safe destination, with warm and friendly people.

London said the relevant authorities, including the police, would continue working to ensure that St Vincent and the Grenadines remains a safe destination.

She also appealed to young men and women to consider the consequences of their actions.

London said even disagreements and disputes can have wider repercussions, and urged people to remember that “the country comes first”.

She expressed confidence that people would look beyond the recent incident and that St Vincent and the Grenadines would continue to grow as a destination.

She said the country remains a place that people will continue to choose.

END

About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication (UWI Mona), a Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management (UWI Cave Hill), a Certificate in Digital Marketing, and has years of broadcast journalism experience rising to ranks of a programme manager. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at [email protected]