Grenada projects visitor spending will exceed EC$1 billion for second year
Mrs. Kirl Grant- Hoschtialek- Acting CEO & COO, Grenada Tourism Authority
Key Points(5)
- Grenada is projected to record more than EC$1 billion in visitor spending for a second consecutive year in 2026, following EC$1.047 billion in expenditure in 2025, according to the Grenada Tourism Authority.
- Visitor spending increased by 20.4% between 2023 and 2025, marking two consecutive years of growth.
- The authority projects that expenditure will rise by a further EC$20.9 million in 2026 to reach EC$1.068 billion, with spending by stayover visitors alone expected to surpass EC$1 billion.
- The projections come as the International Monetary Fund’s October 2026 Regional Economic Outlook forecasts Grenada’s economy will grow by 3.9% this year, the highest rate among the Caribbean economies the IMF classifies as tourism-dependent.
- “ This performance underscores tourism’s importance to Grenada’s national development,” said Adrian Thomas, the country’s minister for tourism, creative economy and culture.
Grenada is projected to record more than EC$1 billion in visitor spending for a second consecutive year in 2026, following EC$1.047 billion in expenditure in 2025, according to the Grenada Tourism Authority.
Visitor spending increased by 20.4% between 2023 and 2025, marking two consecutive years of growth. The authority projects that expenditure will rise by a further EC$20.9 million in 2026 to reach EC$1.068 billion, with spending by stayover visitors alone expected to surpass EC$1 billion.
The projections come as the International Monetary Fund’s October 2026 Regional Economic Outlook forecasts Grenada’s economy will grow by 3.9% this year, the highest rate among the Caribbean economies the IMF classifies as tourism-dependent.
“ This performance underscores tourism’s importance to Grenada’s national development,” said Adrian Thomas, the country’s minister for tourism, creative economy and culture.
Thomas said sustaining growth would require protecting the cultural and natural assets that attract visitors while investing in the people and infrastructure that support the industry.
In 2025, spending by stayover visitors reached EC$984.9 million, an increase of 5.14% from 2024. Cruise visitor expenditure rose by 56.6% over the same period to EC$61.9 million.
Randall Dolland, chairman of the Grenada Tourism Authority, said the milestone presented an opportunity to strengthen tourism’s contribution to the wider economy by creating more opportunities for local businesses and communities.
“Our priority must be to deepen the connections between tourism and the wider economy, creating more opportunities for Grenadian businesses to supply the sector and for communities to participate in its success,” Dolland said.
He added that Grenada’s food, culture and natural environment could provide a stronger foundation for local businesses and livelihoods.
Recent visitor activity also points to continued demand. Arrivals during the Spicemas carnival period from Aug. 2-11, 2026, increased by 20% compared with the same period in 2025, according to the tourism authority.
Looking ahead to 2027, the authority plans to expand the visibility and accessibility of community-based tourism through its Pure Experiences program.
Kirl Grant-Hoschtialek, the authority’s chief of operations and acting chief executive officer, said the initiative aims to encourage visitors to explore more of Grenada while directing greater economic benefits to local businesses.
The authority’s tourism development strategy prioritizes higher-value experiences, including culinary tourism, heritage and culture, wellness and nautical tourism.
The Pure Experiences program supports that approach by connecting visitors with locally operated activities across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, with the aim of extending tourism’s economic benefits to more businesses and communities.
