US/Caribbean gospel artiste exploring faith tourism possibilities
By Linda Straker
A US based Caribbean gospel artiste who has family ties in Grenadais presently exploring ways by which the island can benefit significantly from the growing niche market of faith tourism.
Meeting with Prime Minister Thomas, other cabinet and religious ministers last week was Gerard Placide, a native of Trinidad and Tobagowho in 2001 became the first Caribbean National to win the McDonald’s Gospel Soloist Award.
Placide who is related to former general manager of the Grenada Broadcasting Network Ruel Edwards, said that with the right networking there can be hundreds of tourists visiting the island as part of a faith tourism initiative. “When you look at The Bahamas and St Lucia, these islands are doing well from faith tourism marketing and the same can happen for Grenada, all that is need is for the result structure to be establish,” said the artiste whose aim is to have some of the mega churches in the USA develop a relationship with churches in Grenada.
“Such a partnership can result in members of these mega churches coming to Grenada for retreats, conferences and symposiums all aim at exposing the island and at the same time giving them a reason to getaway to enjoy the peace the tranquility of the unspoiled sceneries,” said Placide who has had the privilege to sing for such luminaries as the Queen of England, former President of the United Nations 57th General Assembly His Excellency Julien Hunte, and current US Secretary of State Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
He also wants to see local gospel artiste adopt a more professional standards to marketing their work not just in locally but regionally and internationally. “As part of that initiative, local artiste will get the opportunity to expose themselves and if the right approach is not taken, as good as some of them can be they will not benefit from the exposure,” he said.
Apart fromGrenada, Placide will also be visitingSt Vincent and the Grenadinesto meet with officials to undertake similar discussions. “I believe that there is a unique opportunity for destinations in the OECS in particular, to benefit from Faith Tourism Initiatives and I am hopeful that this will bear fruits,” said Placide who performed at theMarketHillPentecostalChurchlast Sunday.