Seasons Greetings for peace and joy to all residents and visitors to our Tri-island State.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association, I want to extend to everyone best wishes for a prosperous and successful 2006.

2005 has been a year of challenges for all of us, as individuals, and as businesses, both in and out of the Tourism Sector.

It was a year of slow and painful recovery, from the ravages of two hurricanes which have taught us much. These lessons have helped us to understand how prepared we should be for eventualities and have inspired us to higher standards.

Let me take the opportunity to congratulate all our local businesses on the pace at which they were able to restructure and reopen, thus contributing to the speedy normalisation of our society.

This difficult period has proven how positive and hard working we are. At this time, it is plain to see that Grenada is open for business, even as work continues on all fronts.

I want to also encourage those who have not yet reopened to continue to work positively, as 2006 holds the promise of a better future.

We are also overwhelmingly grateful for the assistance of partner businesses and hotel associations in the region and internationally, for the help they gave in so many ways as we sought to recover.

Special thanks to our visitors for their patience, and to the many who worked alongside us, insisting on being a part of rebuilding their vacation destination.

Grenada has thrived on repeat visitors, and we are heartened by your efforts. Your contribution has inspired us to make Grenada a destination, well worth your efforts.

We look positively towards 2006! We have built back better and we are placing emphasis on improving our services, as we prepare for CWC 2007 and beyond.

I take the opportunity also to challenge all workers of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, to work with us to make Grenada an enjoyable place to be.

Let us improve the standard of the service that we offer in all areas of business, not just for the visitor but also for nationals.

As the President of Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association, the official voice of the Tourism Private Sector, I take the opportunity to express our desire to join forces with other stakeholders of the private sector, as well as the relevant Government agencies to continue the rebuilding and enhancement process, in order that Grenada, in the aftermath of Ivan, will be a better destination.

To everyone! A bright and prosperous New Year and a successful 2006!