TEF delivers BIG for Visually Impaired Kids

When the TEF was founded in 2013, Founding Contributor and current Chairperson Mrs. Karolin Troubetzkoy envisioned that “ The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has been created to allow the SLHTA to play an integral part in the sustainable development of our destination. Through the Tourism Enhancement Fund, the SLHTA will be able to direct development efforts where they are most needed.”

This week the TEF answered the call of the Lions Club of Gros Islet for support for the Kids In Sight program which has been operating in Saint Lucia for the past 15 years. This year the TEF Trustees approved support for this project in the amount of $10,000 EC dollars which will go directly towards medical attention for kids suffering with vision disabilities and cannot afford medical attention. The short presentation ceremony was attended by members of the Lions Club of Gros Islet, past beneficiaries of the Kids In Sight project and representatives of the Kids in Sight project. The initiative is a joint project of the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association, the Lions Clubs of Gros Islet and West Virginia Eye Institute. For more information visit https://youtu.be/-BBajcWfoZo?t=15
TEF Contributors – Get to know us

Since its commencement on 1 st October 2013, the SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund has been generously supported by SLHTA Hotel members. Last year, the TEF welcomed its first Allied Member contributor Serenity Vacations and Tours is actively reaching out to other members to participate in this initiative. Resort guests and all other island visitors are asked to proudly be part of this exciting initiative and donate US$2 for each night of their stay at Resorts here in Saint Lucia which goes entirely towards our Tourism Enhancement Fund. To date the TEF has raised over $7 million EC dollars, much of which have supported approximately 100 projects focused on building economic linkages, human resources development, social development projects and product development. Visit our website to get more information on the hotels which give generously to our TEF and make these dreams a reality.  http://www.saintluciatef.com/participating-hotels/
Tourism Linkages gets boost from Tourism Enhancement Fund

The Junior Culinary Team has always represented the island very well at the Competition and the SLHTA is extremely proud of their achievements. A few years later, we were able to catch up with a few of them who are doing great things.

From our 2014 Culinary Team, Yohance Cazaubon from Soufriere has ventured into his own business offering delivery services to locals. YJC Deliveries is an errand running and same day delivery service based in Saint Lucia. This service was designed to assist busy individuals living on island.
 
From the 2015 Culinary Team, Nicola Esnard also a former student at the Soufriere Comprehensive is now gainfully employed with a SLHTA Member property, Hotel Chocolat in Soufriere. Boucan by Hotel Chocolat is a tropical retreat on St Lucia’s oldest cocoa estate located 1000 feet above sea level in a Unesco World Heritage Site.
 
From the 2016 Culinary Team, the dynamic duo affectionately known as DoubleM. Michaela Poleon and Megan Felicien, former students of the Ciceron Secondary School. Micheala has decided to continue her studies in Food and Beverage at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, a programme which will take two years to complete full time. While Megan continued to work as an apprentice cook, until she was offered a job at the newly opened Royalton Saint Lucia Resort at Cap Estate.
 
From the 2017 Junior Culinary Team we have Brittney Henry who was a former student at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community. Her coach Chef Billy Boyle of Capella Marigot Bay was so impressed with her spirit, personality and the effort she puts into her work that he decided to offer a full time position with Capella, two months after the Barbados competition.
 
The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association Inc. is extremely proud of the achievements of all our past Junior Chefs. Most of them have pursued careers in Culinary Arts and are a living testament of passion, commitment and drive. Through the Tourism Enhancement, we will continue to fuel the passions of our young people to guarantee a sustainable Tourism Product.
Tourism Linkages gets boost from Tourism Enhancement Fund

For the fourth consecutive year the SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund will be sponsoring the Linkages in Tourism trade show which accompanies the SLHTA’s Annual General Meeting. This year’s tradeshow will mark the commencement of a series of events aimed at aggressively bridging the gap between tourism and other sectors. The success of our Virtual Agricultural Clearing House has inspired the expansion of our project to now include agro-processors, manufacturers and art and crafters. 

Linkages Liaison Officer Ms. Donette Ismael has shared her optimism about the promise of this expansion commenting that “This tradeshow is the foremost avenue to network and establish lucrative partnerships. For many of our former participants the benefits have been extraordinary.”  For more information on how you can register for this year’s event contact Ms. Ismael at dismael@slhta.com or call 758-485-9816. Booths are going fast so contact us now!