Tourism Ministry Trains Community Groups to Attract More Visitors 

By S.Browne. Updated 7:20 p.m., Friday, August 14, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Seven community-based tourism organisations from across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines began a series of capacity-building sessions on August 11, 2026, focused on improving how they promote, manage and develop their tourism offerings.

Organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development under the theme “Uniquely Endowed, Creatively Crafted; Empowered to Prosper Through Tourism,” the programme opened with Social Media Management and Design on August 11, followed by Event Management on August 12. Project Proposal and Project Writing sessions are scheduled for August 19 and 20.

The participating organisations are Owia Heritage Organisation, Rosehall Cultural and Development Organisation, Vermont Our People United, Barrouallie Tourism Heritage Organisation, Greiggs Tourism Organisation, Greiggs Garifuna Council and Sunshine Valley Farm SVG.

Founder and Principal of Ignite, Candace Sealey, led the first session, where participants explored ways to establish their social media identity, develop content calendars, write meaningful captions and generate ideas that highlight the qualities and experiences that distinguish their communities.

The session also covered ethics in social media management.

Sealey said community-based tourism can bring visitors closer to SVG’s people, culture, food, heritage and stories.

She said the session was designed to help participants position and communicate those offerings online in ways that build visibility, generate interest and support bookings and income.

On August 12, Camille Soleyn led the Event Management session, covering the process from developing an idea and preparing an event plan and budget to managing risks and ensuring visitor safety.

The Ministry said the knowledge gained will assist participants in organising culturally grounded events while improving the professionalism of community-led tourism offerings.

The initiative forms part of the Ministry’s Human Resource Development Programme, which will extend to other tourism stakeholders, including hospitality workers, personnel at tourism sites and attractions, Immigration and Customs and Excise staff, craft artisans and port ambassadors.

Those sessions will focus on service excellence, conflict management, tourism education and sustainability, with the Ministry seeking to improve the quality of interactions between visitors and the people they encounter throughout the tourism sector.

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