A sign of the resilience of a determined nation, SVG has emerged from the multitude of challenges presented over the past few years stronger and more optimistic than ever.
The tourism sector has been experiencing a boost with a very large increase in the number of cruise ship visits and the new international airport securing scheduled flights from North America and Europe. Several new hotel projects are well on their way.The Mayah Luxury Suites Hotel in Diamond, owned and managed by McDowall Investments, is scheduled to open later this year. Construction on a Holiday Inn in Diamond is also well underway. The Royal Sugar Mill, a luxury hotel project in Ratho Mill, is due to come on stream within the next year. Not to be outdone, the leeward side of the island will be seeing the opening of Sandals for the 2023/2024 tourist season. This year welcomed the opening of the Coconut Grove Beach Club, securing its spot as a social hub with great food and friendly service for a fun lime, offering so much to enjoy and so much to look forward to.
The growing optimism on the island can be seen in a multitude of areas. From the significant number of private homes under construction to the return of Carnival celebrations, St. Vincent holds the promise of thriving once again.
Kingstown is getting its own facelift with a government clean-up and relocation of street vendors to the new indoor fruit and vegetable market. Medical students are back and the demand for private short and long-term residential accommodations is on the rise. With Covid having brought a renewed focus on individual lifestyles, there are more members of the Vincentian diaspora in the UK and North America that have decided to purchase a second property or vacation home in St. Vincent. Non-Vincentians are also seeking to fulfill their dream of a home in the sun. A limited number of rental properties, combined with the relative high demand for modern contemporary style properties, presents ideal investment opportunities for those with foresight.
In 2016, despite not being Vincentians, my husband and I decided to invest in SVG with the opening of a RE/MAX real estate brokerage. We provide a link to professional practices that are familiar to those with experience in the North American real estate market, which our foreign buyers and investors find reassuring. Indeed, individuals from the diaspora and resident Vincentians also express appreciation for the high standards of business demanded by the RE/MAX brand. We have been humbled by the positive reception to our brokerage service and felt fortunate throughout this year to enjoy a growing sales team and healthy increase in sales volume.
After building a book of business for over 40 years in real estate in the United States, we are excited to be part of the growth and development of this beautiful Caribbean nation. We feel lucky to be enjoying our profession in paradise, and our commitment to SVG was cemented with the attainment of our Vincentian citizenship this year. Both the physical beauty of the many islands and the warmth and caring of Vincentians made our decision to stay an easy one.
The universal Vincentian greeting of “You Good?” comes to mind. “Ya man, we good!”
