Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a Caribbean nation consisting of a small chain of islands, ran a tourism campaign in 2012 built around the idea of getting away from your devices:

New research shows that nearly half of us feel so tied down by technology we can’t let an email or text pass us by, and have to respond to it. The constant need to keep checking messages and to monitor different websites, can lead to distraction. Our productiveness and stress levels naturally are affected. Allowing yourself to switch off will help to calm your mind and enable you to fully enjoy the present moment.

Digital_DetoxChecking in to SVG provides the opportunity to check out of the hum drum of daily life. Our islands are the perfect place for slowing down, recharging batteries and re-discovering the simple pleasures in life. Now for the first time, visitors to SVG have the opportunity to experience a Digital Detox – like a health detox, but for your mind – a complete unplugging from the world, designed to wean guests off their technology. Guests will be asked to ‘de-tech’ and hand over their mobile phones and gadgets surrendering themselves to fully enjoying their technology free break. A number of the hotels in the destination have no televisions in the rooms and technology is discouraged on the beaches. Coupled with the feeling of finding your own Robinson Crusoe style island – there is no better place for the ultimate Digital Detox.

National Post writer Alyssa Schwartz was just there, and wrote about the experience.

I think this campaign is a great start, but it’s not quite there. Of course I could make it perfect if I can do some fieldwork there. Call me, tourism board. I’m available.