Minister of Tourism Kishore Shallow on Thursday announced a six‑month national campaign, “Love St. Vincent and the Grenadines” (Love SVG), aimed at delivering at least 100 priority projects across the country before the start of the 2026/27 tourism season in November.
Speaking at a press conference in Villa, Shallow said the initiative is designed to “elevate our tourism product” through a coordinated national effort involving government, statutory bodies, the private sector and communities.
“It is a six‑month initiative which would be strategically planned for the off-season. So it ends just before the start of the new tourist season in November,” said Shallow, who also has ministerial responsibility for civil aviation and sustainable development.
He described the core objective as upgrading and enhancing facilities and services nationwide, on both the mainland and the Grenadines.
100 projects, six months, national scope
Shallow said the ministry and its agencies have already identified more than 120 potential projects, which will be narrowed to a final list of 100 to be carried out between now and the end of October.
“It sounds like a lot, but… we have over 100 projects so far identified that we are going to target to improve between now and Nov. 1,” he said.
“We are going to zoom into 100 because we want this to be viable… not 99, not 101, 100.”
The projects will range from basic site improvements to larger infrastructure upgrades.
“… our guests sometimes go to some sites and they complain about, ‘Where do I put my litter? Where do I put my garbage?’ We’re going to ensure that sites have the garbage bins. We’re going to ensure that sites have adequate personnel to man the different facilities. We’re going to train our people who engage directly with guests.”
He said the programme will also push forward long‑discussed projects like completing the renovation of Fort Charlotte, which ha sbeen closed since 2023.
Shallow said the government will also upgrade Dark View Falls and enhance Pavement.
“I haven’t been there yet, but understand, Pavement is a wonderful waterfall on the windward side,” Shallow said, adding that more Grenadines sites were also under consideration.
Project model: forms, categories and deadlines
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary Tamira Browne said the campaign was a move from “vision to action”.
“Today is the beginning of a national movement, a movement that calls on every one of us, not just as public servants or stakeholders, but as Vincentians, to take ownership of our country, our communities and our future.”
Browne said that Love SVG is not a stand‑alone slogan, but part of a broader national development framework.
She called for a “whole‑of‑government and whole‑of‑society” commitment.
The permanent secretary outlined a structured project‑submission and reporting mechanism for ministries, statutory bodies, private sector entities and community organisations.
“Tomorrow, the ministry will share with all line ministries and state agencies a simple form where ministries and agencies can submit a project or projects of interest and explain how the project will be beneficial,” she said.
“Importantly, this form will also be extended to private sector entities and community organisations through our media agencies,” Browne added.
She said projects could be micro or macro, such as installing an All Islands Recycling bin or engineering projects to beautify spaces.
“Each line ministry and statutory body will be challenged to complete at least five projects focused on sustainable recycling, reducing litter and improving cleanliness, beautifying our spaces and preparing our nation for the 2026 tourist season,” Browne said.
“The private sector will be challenged in this way as well, or they may wish to adopt a site.”
She said the initiative will focus on five broad categories:
1. Natural attractions and eco sites
2. Heritage and cultural sites
3. Transport and access infrastructure
4. Hospitality service upgrades
5. Community or community tourism initiatives
Shallow outlined the basic timeline, saying that over the course of this month, into June, “we are going to finalise those with the resources that are necessary to realise these projects”.
In the second phase, the ministry will lead with the execution, the minister added.
“You’re going to have a lot of work, as you would imagine. And this is [the] beautiful thing about this initiative – that during that period, we’re going to create employment as well, because with all these projects being done simultaneously, we’re going to need people to enhance these facilities.”
Shallow said “millions of dollars” would be spent across the various works.
“And in October, we finalise and we conclude and we get ready for the new tourist season,” the minister said.
Including the Grenadines ?
Table Rock should be priority
That’s a very good idea but how about some rest stops with bathrooms on the main roads when imagine you are traveling to the windward or leeward side of the country and need to used a restroom what would you do Mr minister please look into that please
I think one of the first place to tackle is Mt wynne recreational beach site, that place is visited by both tourist and locals every weekend. its a place that’s loved by all but the road to get there is in a deplorable condition, urgent attention needs to be given to it