By Admin. Updated 5:00 p.m., Thursday, December 28, 2023, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Many things can happen during a year.
Some things can be surprising like major natural disasters, accidents, celebrity deaths, scandals, or great positive accomplishments. Other things are more predictable such as the national budget, a milestone anniversary of a company, or a planned sporting event.
Here are four (4) major things we know are highly likely to happen in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2024.
1 The opening of Sandals’ newest resort:
Sandals International announced on its website in September 2023 that the resort being constructed in St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be officially opened on March 27, 2024.
Sandals is accepting bookings on its website for persons wishing to stay at the all-inclusive resort.
On its official website, Sandals International says the 301-room resort will offer two-story overwater villas, beachfront butler villas, and unique rooms and suites.
Sandals International says the guests at the resort will be offered 12 dining concepts, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and anytime snacks, unlimited premium liquors, 5 bars, including a swim-up bar, a stocked bar in every room, and unlimited Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks® wines.
All things remained unchanged, the move is expected to be a major one for St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ economy.
2. A major CELAC meeting:
A meeting of heads of state and heads of government of countries in the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States – CELAC is expected to be convened at the Sandals Resort in February/March 2024.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is expected to hand over the Pro Tempore Presidency of CELAC to Honduras.
In January 2022, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with unanimous support, became the first CARICOM country to receive the Pro Tempore CELAC presidency, taking over the role from Argentina.
Leaders from throughout the Caribbean and Latin America (presidents and prime ministers) are expected to be present in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the conference.
CELAC is a 33-member body.
The leaders are expected to discuss issues surrounding climate change, the reform of the global financial architecture, reparations for slavery and native genocide, and other issues that were raised in the EU-CELAC Summit of July 2023 which was held in Brussels, Belgium.
3. ICC T20 Cricket World Cup matches
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is expected to host some group stage and quarterfinal matches of the 2024 International Cricket Council – ICC T20 World Cup which is being hosted in the Caribbean and in the USA.
These matches are scheduled to be held here in June 2024.
ICC officials were in SVG in December 2023, and they are expecting to provide an update as to the exact number and type of matches this country will host.
The hosting of some of the matches here is expected to further expose the country to global audiences and bring revenue from cricket enthusiasts, teams, and officials who will fly in for the matches and locals who will purchase tickets to watch the games.
4. Construction of an Acute Referral Hospital at Arnos Vale
According to the government, construction is scheduled to begin in early 2024 on a 140-room Acute Referral Hospital at Arnos Vale, St. Vincent.
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said that funding has been secured to construct the USD $98 million project.
In August 2022, Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment – Mr. St. Clair Prince explained that the Acute Referral Hospital will be more than just the mere construction of a building but “will be a game-changer in terms of the delivery of health services in this country….and embodies probably the entire health system here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
According to the Agency for Public Information – API, in August 2022, the Health Minister said the project would allow the Government to be better able to respond to public health emergencies and build resilience. Health services would be expanded, while there would be the introduction of new services such as Cardiology, Neurology including enhance acute stroke care, Thyroid services, Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, enhanced Ophthalmology as well as major invasive surgeries.
The hospital will have about 140 beds.
The Government would still utilize the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in this capacity along with services offered by the World Pediatric Project, as they seek to reform the delivery of healthcare in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the API said.
Honorable mention: The opening of Holiday Inn at Diamond:
Another major hotel chain brand is expected to open here in 2024. The 92-room hotel located at Diamond is expected to give visitors, mainly business travelers, the opportunity to experience the Holiday brand in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
It is also located close to the Argyle International Airport.
According to the Office of the Prime Minister, On Tuesday 7th June 2022, the government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines entered into a contractual agreement with NH International (Caribbean) Limited for the construction of the Holiday Inn Express hotel at Diamond. This was done at a contract signing ceremony at Cabinet Room where Prime Minister Dr. Hon Ralph Gonsalves signed on behalf of the government and the CEO of NH International Mr. Kit Kennedy, signed on behalf of his company.
In his remarks before the signing, Prime Minister Gonsalves gave an overview of the project stating that the hotel would be a 92-room facility constructed at a cost of EC$ 52 million, the Office of the Prime Minister said.
The Kingstown Port Modernisation Project is set to be finished in 2025, with advanced stages in its construction in 2024.
Also in 2024, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ economy is projected to experience real GDP growth of 5.0 percent and a 2.4 percent inflation on the Consumer Price Index, according to the International Monetary Fund – IMF.
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