Tourism ministry promoting staycations this year, McKie says

By Demion McTair. Updated 10:28 p.m., Wednesday, June 24, 2020, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Kingstown, St. Vincent (ONE NEWS SVG) – As a result of the reduced numbers for visitors to St. Vincent and the Grenadines this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tourism Minister Cecil Mckie says his ministry is promoting staycations.

“We are encouraging our local people to become visitors in their own country and we are developing the various tourism sites, we are developing the various packages that are on offer and therefore, we are encouraging Vincentians, you don’t have to go overseas for your vacation this year”, McKie told Parliament on June 22.

“Do so right here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, check into a hotel, find out what packages are on offer and therefore, you can become a tourist in your own country”, McKie added.

Minister McKie said the currently established tourism standards are being revised to meet the changing needs brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The revised standards will outline what persons will be expected to do when they go into hotels and visit tourism sites throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

McKie said a number of stakeholders are currently advising the tourism ministry on how it can improve the country’s offerings.