Advocacy & Projects Campaign
The GHTA is pleased to report a very high level of activity in the Advocacy and Projects Campaign led by Jennifer Alexis of Ethical Ideas Consulting. In a survey of Hotel Members conducted in July 2012, a staggering 100% of the Members indicated that energy costs were either threatening jobs (33%) or threatening the business (67%). Responding to member concerns, the GHTA consultant is focusing efforts on debt restructuring and energy cost relief. One proposed project involves conducting energy audits that identify measures that can be taken to reduce energy consumption. The project is designed to also raise grant funds (where possible) to implement the recommendations as an immediate cost savings measure. Another proposed project involves using grant funds to procure a solar energy farm, so that proceeds could be used to finance Grenada’s economic recovery through destination marketing and destination upgrades.
The projects designed are expected to have more than one funding source. Two proposals have been drafted and submitted and a third is being drafted. The GHTA has also prepared an investment dossier for the Royal Family of Qatar to secure soft loans to restructure tourism sector debt. An action plan is also being drafted and a possible fourth proposal may be drafted as well. In addition to this, the GHTA has met with the CARICOM Development Fund and anticipate access to a grant/loan combination for the energy project.
We expect a small tranche of funding to arrive in before the end of the year that will finance a portion of the implementation of one of the four energy audits conducted on hotels in Grenada to date. The hotel will benefit from access to approximately XCD $100,000 to implement their report, provided they are willing to share data and be used as an example for demonstration purposes. The lucky hotel will be drawn at the Annual General Meeting.
The GHTA has significantly increased its lobbying and advocacy work in the last few months, given the urgency of economic realities the sector faces. We lobbied for the formation of an emergency working group that would report to a Cabinet Sub-Committee (Minister of Finance and Minister of Tourism). Four meetings have taken place since the working group was formed and there is much to discuss with Members regarding what has happened to date and what is desired as the way forward.