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SLHTA Wishes Tyler Theophane Success at Miss World 2021   The Saint Lucia Hospitality & Tourism Association (SLHTA) expresses best wishes to Tyler Theophane (Miss Saint Lucia World 2021) as she represents the island in the 70th Miss World competition in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on December 16.   Miss World 2021 will be held at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot – the biggest indoor arena in Puerto Rico.    Theophane, 23, of Choiseul, will compete against 108 other contestants who have so far confirmed their places at the global event. She left Saint Lucia earlier this month for Puerto Rico to join her counterparts for the Miss World Festival which runs from 21st November through to 16th December.   The SLHTA is one of the partners lending support to Theophane as she continues to exude confidence in winning the title for her beloved Saint Lucia.   SLHTA Chief Executive Officer, Noorani Azeez, said the organization wishes Theophane the very best as she competes for the coveted global title. He noted that she epitomizes what can be accomplished when one strives for the best...Read More

CHTA’S leadership joins our tourism community in mourning the passing of Caribbean hospitality giant Richard Williams  We extend our deepest condolences to Richard’s family, friends and colleagues who knew, loved and respected him for his humanity, visionary achievements and exceptional marketing talent. We are grateful for his many contributions to our beloved industry and region.

Driving Incentive Business At IMEX America 2021 The SLTA attended IMEX America 2021, in collaboration with the Saint Lucia Hospitality & Tourism Association optimally presenting the diverse offerings of Saint Lucia. Approximately 80 appointments were covered with global buyers, primarily focused on the events and incentive travel niches. Approximately 78% of all buyers at IMEX were from USA and there were just over 3,400 buyers representing chiefly agencies, corporate entities and independent contractors including: Maritz, Helmns Briscoe, Conference Direct. Top requests included options for dine-arounds, team building and environmental/corporate social responsibility (CSR). Most often, the requests were for conference room sizes to accommodate between 30-150 pax with an average meeting being for 120 pax. Most of the prospective buyers are new to destination Saint Lucia, presenting a good potential for growth and further solidification of this profitable niche market. The educational activities highlighted the need for destinations to incorporate social, economic, and environmental welfare initiatives and options for visitors.

NEW SAINT LUCIA TOURISM AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS The newly appointed Board of Directors of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, since installment in September, is charting the way forward with a strategic vision that emphasizes culture, heritage, and history – reinforcing Minister of Tourism Hilaire’s commitment to “Putting People First”. The public can expect to see more of these components as key elements of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority’s marketing plan, especially looking at linkages to ensure that the economic benefits of tourism include craftsmen, artisans farmers and other local establishments. Appointed by Saint Lucia’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire, the Board of Directors reflects a balanced group of individuals with skill sets in the fields of law, entrepreneurship, marketing, hospitality, business management, community development, events, and accommodations management. The board is chaired by Mr. Thaddeus M. Antoine - Attorney at Law and serving as the Deputy Chairperson is Mrs. Grace Parkinson - Chief Operating Officer at SLASPA and Chair of the Maritime Tourism Committee. Supporting directors are Mr. Paul Collymore - President of the SLHTA and Chair of the Airlift Committee, Mr. Thomas Leonce - President of the Vacation Rentals Association and Chair of the Marketing Committee, Mr. Ernest Augier - President of the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation and Chair of the Finance Committee, Ms. Savvy Gajadhar - Entrepreneur, Ms. Jeanine Henry - Senior Manager in the field of Finance and Securities, and Ms. Donalyn Vittet - Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism...Read More

WHERE ARE THEY NOW FEATURE Vanesta Clifford: Loving What She Does Chinese philosopher, Confucius, is famous for coining the popular quote, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Despite long hours she has spent on the job for the past two decades, for Vanesta Clifford, of Beausejour, Gros Islet, Confucius’s quote seems appropriate. Since December 2000, Clifford has been employed with Sea Spray Cruises Ltd., a local, family-owned and operated company offering day sailing tours in Saint Lucia to Soufriere and other surrounding attractions since 1991. After graduating from Corinth Secondary School (CSS) in 1996, Clifford was employed with another boating company from 1998 before leaving two years later to work with Sea Spray Cruises Ltd. Back then, Clifford was simply just happy to have a job. She soon found out that it was more than that. “At the time, we were called Social Hostesses and we did boat tours,” said 43-year-old Clifford. “I loved interacting with and entertaining the guests. Today, I’m the Reservations and Office Assistant. I think I have grown a lot over the years because I was able to learn so much about the job...Read More

Local Community Groups Get Help Building Their Capacity The Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund and the Inter American Foundation are joining forces in order to bolster the efforts of community-based organizations. Officials indicate that the project will bridge the many gaps in CBO’s operations so they can be more impactful in their various communities.

Ninth Mango Bowl Regatta Set to Sail Today   “The restart for regatta racing is eminent in Saint Lucia’s Rodney Bay “says Steven Kern from Barbados and a representative of the Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA). Kern refers to Saint Lucia’s 9th Mango Bowl Regatta, hosted by the Saint Lucia Yacht Club (SLYC) which sails off today (Saturday 27th) November 2021. He added, “The Pandemic has kept boats on the dry and sailors waiting patiently for 18 months to get back on the water and racing. The Saint Lucia Mango Bowl Regatta now signals the restart of racing in Saint Lucia and is the first regional regatta to take place in the Southern Caribbean since March 2020.” Kern said, “The Start Line always brings out the competitor in all of us, and we are happy that Saint Lucia is hosting the start of the racing season. Thanks go out to the Organizing Authority of the 2021 Saint Lucia Mango Bowl...Read More

Untapped Energy Efficiency Potential in Saint Lucia A significant source of emission avoidance   Solar Water Heaters (SWH) offer a considerable energy saving potential compared to electrical water heaters. They can help in reducing electricity consumption and subsequently, electricity bills. While some hotels and public facilities (e. g. the Owen King Hospital and the new St. Jude Hospital) already use SWH, many commercial and industrial enterprises as well as residential buildings are using electrical and/or gas fired boilers. In Saint Lucia, the import of complete SWH units or components for local production is exempted from import taxes which is an incentive granted by the Government to promote energy efficiency. Nevertheless, the penetration with SWH in Saint Lucia is still low in comparison to its neighbor country Barbados, where the production and usage of SWH are promoted since 1974 with a short interruption resulting in the use of SWH in approx. 70% of households that have any water heating at all. The bundling and extension of incentives for SWH in Saint Lucia including duty waivers, tax deductions, and of dis-incentives like higher taxation of electrical and gas water heaters could promote the inc-reased use of SWH leading not only...Read More

Queen shares her sadness as Barbados cuts ties with monarchy and becomes a republic Dame Sandra Mason, the governor general, will be sworn in as president at midnight tonight replacing the Queen as head of state on the country’s 55th anniversary of independence Prince Charles will tonight pay tribute to the “close and trusted partnership” between the United Kingdom and Barbados, as the Caribbean island celebrates becoming a republic. The Queen has reportedly expressed her “sadness” at the move, while the Prince of Wales, who arrived in Bridgetown last night, will have a “twinge of regret” at the ceremony to mark the cutting of ties with the monarchy after centuries of British rule...Read More