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TOURISM MATTERS

Enhancing the Shopping Experience The Saint Lucia Hospitality & Tourism Association (SLHTA) facilitated a meeting between retail store members and Point Seraphine’s General Manager Earland Labadie, to discuss ideas for enhancing the shopping experience at Point Seraphine. Building on discussions between these members and SLHTA’s President and CEO last month, Harry Edwards Jewelers and Sea Island Cotton Shop shared concerns and ideas to encourage hotel visitors to explore the retail shopping scene as a means to attract greater visitor spend on the island. Citing the growing challenge of all-inclusive experiences available to both cruise and hotel visitors, members discussed hosting of events, showcasing local entertainment, organizing targeted tours of shopping sites and discount days as some creative ideas to encourage guests to explore Saint Lucia’s diverse retail offerings. The meeting between the SLHTA members and Point Seraphine’s GM also explored some specific actions for the upcoming holiday season ranging from extended opening hours of shops, sharing schedule of Xmas events, promotion of a calendar of activities, use of SLHTA newsletter to communicate with members and engaging other stakeholders to participate in the initiatives. Mr. Labadie also shared some exciting information with members on the expansion plans of the Point Seraphine Duty Free Shopping Centre, noting that further information will be circulated over the coming weeks.

Successful meeting with HR Professionals SLHTA extends congratulations to member CUBE HRM Solutions Inc. on a very successful engagement with over 25 companies to discuss best practices in the implementation and use of their human resources management software. CUBE Users got a rare opportunity to delve deeper into the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind the Human Resource Management System. The symposium served as a refresher and an opportunity to bring users up-to-date with a number of additional features & upgrades being made available to users at no additional cost. Participants learned more about the new time-clock devices & software that can be integrated with CUBE for greater payroll accuracy & savings. They also got a first-hand opportunity to learn more about new Performance Management, Training & Development, On-boarding & Disciplinary modules being introduced in 2020. SLHTA CEO was in attendance for part of the afternoon session and cited that the digitization of HR services will save time and enhance productivity of employees. He noted to the attendees that global trends point to the fact that HR departments are being increasingly called upon to show returns on investment and measuring productivity more effectively will enhance the competitiveness of local firms.   The SLHTA has been working with Mr. Perry Longville, Managing Director, HRM Solutions Inc. over the past few months to share his HR Management software with more members. The software is being used within the SLHTA Secretariat and a number of other accommodation establishments which are also SLHTA members. For more information on how you can manage your team’s productivity more simply and more effectively, please visit https://www.cubehrms.com/

SLHTA Sector Meetings Commence More Sector meetings was one of the key requests from members at this year’s Annual General Meeting of SLHTA members. Members from multiple sectors urged the SLHTA for more frequent meeting during the year and greater engagement with their Sector Representatives on the SLHTA’s Board of Directors. In an effort to honor this recommendation, the SLHTA Secretariat, under the supervision of Ms. Yola St. Jour, has commenced a series of sector meetings aimed at capturing business challenges, discussion solutions and mobilizing resources to address sectoral challenges. Over the past few weeks, the Board Representatives have met with member companies from the Independent Restaurants, Food and Beverage Distributors, Small Hotels, Training and Development Institutions, Financial Services Providers and Information and Technology Consultants, Security Services, Pest Control Consultants and members from the Retail Sector. Concerns and recommendations from these meetings are already being discussed with the SLHTA’s Board of Directors and actions crafted into the organization’s work-plan over the coming months. Some common issues attracting immediate attention include calls for more networking forums among allied and accommodation members, crime and citizen security, business advisory services from the SLHTA for small firms, stronger linkages between local producers and accommodation sector and conflict mediation. The organization is expecting to place its revised Strategic Plans before Directors at an upcoming meeting of the SLHTA’s Board of Directors on 21st November 2019. The plan will also look at how the organization needs to retool in order to meeting the increasing demands of members. The SLHTA has grown to over 250 member companies and 100 independent employee members, spanning over 21 different sub sectors. For more information visit us at www.slhta.com

Desert Star Holdings representatives make introduction to SLHTA Representatives of DSH formally introduced the SLHTA to representatives of the Ecole Hotelierre De Lausanne (ESL) last week. The three parties discussed various aspects of the tourism industry in Saint Lucia, the HRD needs of SLHTA members and the offerings of the ESL. SLHTA CEO Noorani Azeez shared information on various SLHTA HRD initiatives being undertaken with members and a number of SLHTA projects undertaken over the past few years which have attracted regional and international recognition. Some of the projects discussed included the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Young Leaders Development Initiative, SLHTA’s Apprenticeship Program, Secondary School Culinary program and linkages with various sectors. DSH was represented by Mr. Gary Edward Chong and Mr. Ng Chee Choy while ESL team comprised Mr. Jens-Henning Peters and Mr. Tim Borgmann.

TEF discusses Enterprise Development Fund with Financial Services Providers     Bank of Saint Lucia and Savings Bank Foundation for International Cooperation were two of the institutions with whom Tourism Enhancement Fund Program Manager met this week to discuss the SLHTA’s Enterprise Development Fund. The Enterprise Development Fund is a project initiative of the SLHTA seeking to make available to established local entrepreneurs, small loans at reduced interest rates which will enable them to expand their production and service offerings. The focus is currently on supporting existing enterprises which have already been in operation but seeking a financial injection to better penetrate the tourism and hospitality sector. The project was presented at this year’s Annual General Meeting of members as a new initiative seeking to build on the organization’s sterling linkages program. For more information on the work of the Tourism Enhancement Fund please visit www.saintluciatef.com

ARC Opening Ceremony What a way to spend a Sunday! The ARC Opening Ceremony saw hundreds of ARC crews come together to parade around the marina behind their nations flag. This time next week, they will have waved goodbye to Las Palmas, bound for Saint Lucia. Congratulations to: Director Sean Devaux, his team and the ARC family for a very spirited launch of ARC  2019. The diaspora turned up in full participation and strongest of spirits. The race starts next Sunday, but a showing of passionate well-wishers and Saint Lucians are in Las Palmas at this very moment for the launch of this momentous event. Serenity Vacations rep on the ground reported a decent turnout with “toxic patriotism". The main diaspora Rep is Debbie Melchor. @17587248557. We salute your commitment and dedication to the yachting sector and herein pledge strong support.

Outstanding Team Members SLHTA extends congratulations to Chef Clayton Julien of Sandals Regency La Toc and Chef Danny Mann of East Winds Resort on receiving invitations to participate in the Gwadloup – Sent Lisi: Lanmou é Pawtaj, a culinary cultural exchange between St. Lucia and Guadeloupe. The Saint Lucian Chefs showcased the best St Lucia has to offer, by re-imagining whimsical versions of St Lucian national dishes and prepared them for a 200 pax gala dinner for VIP representatives of Guadeloupe. After, they were honored by a presentation of congressional culinary medals of honor, from Madame Josette Borel Lincertin, Presidente du Conseil Departemental de la Guadeloupe. An honor bestowed every five to ten years to extremely talented individuals. Chefs Clayton and Danny have serve the Saint Lucia National Culinary Team and continue to raise the profile of their resorts with their team spirit, hard work and dedication to culinary excellence.

Bay Gardens Resorts Wins Ninth St. Lucia Business Awards Last weekend, at the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture annual awards ceremony, the first Green Globe Gold-certified hotel in St. Lucia won the Environmental Stewardship award for initiatives such as reducing single-use plastics, reducing energy usage and boosting use of locally sourced produce. An elated Executive Director Sanovnik Destang said: "It is a great honor to have won our ninth award, and we are proud of our staff and leadership team for their efforts to sustain, protect and make St. Lucians and visitors think deeply about making strong commitments to the environment." Bay Gardens Resorts has successfully phased out single-use plastics in favor of biodegradable vessels and utensils made from wood, paper, compostable plastic or sugar cane bagasse.  The company, a first-time winner of the Environmental Stewardship award, has also stopped using Expanded Polystyrene (Styrofoam) products at its properties. Other ecological innovations include GEM Link occupancy sensors in guest rooms, which reduce energy for each occupied room by 20 percent. Additional initiatives include converting air conditioners to energy-efficient inverter units, upgrading lighting with LEDs across its properties, and implementing a farm-to-table menu that reduces its total food miles.

National Workshop on Environmental Sensitivity Indexes and Geographic Response Strategies       The SLHTA attended a one week workshop organized by the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization, the UNEP Regional Coordinating Unit and RAC/REMPEITC Caribe on Environmental Sensitivity Indexes and Geographic Response Strategies. The course was attended by a number of senior managers and contingency planners from national authorities responsible for oil spill preparedness, response and cooperation as well as delegates from industry and NGO’s with strong ties to oil spill contingency planning and response. The workshop trained participants in various elements of an ESI map and their use in geographic pre-planning and the development of GRS’s. Participants reviewed and assessed existing environmental data and use this data to develop response plans.

This Saint Lucia Hotel Just Rebranded One of Saint Lucia’s newest hotels has unveiled a new brand identity.  The Harbor Club, which is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, has announced a new “lifestyle” identity under a newly-appointed general manager, Lester Scott.  The rebranding will include new dining concepts, a daily entertainment lineup and new “signature excursions.” “When I was first approached by this new project, I saw the immense opportunity that The Harbor Club held,” Scott said. “This is a relatively new hotel in a great location right on the harbor, which is really going to allow us to own the water. Travelers looking for adventure, entertainment and incredible food at an affordable price-point will really enjoy what we have to offer.” The hotel has debuted the new 14North, a top-floor eatery with views of Pigeon Island and Rodney Bay, with a Caribbean-Asian fusion menu.  That’s along with the relocated Sushi Bar, and Julia’s, the hotel’s all-day eatery which will focus on farm-to-table cuisine.  Weekly entertainment will range from a “burgers and beer” night to a Sunday brunch.  The Harbor Club also will be launching a regular sunset cruise from Thursdays to Saturdays.

The SLHTA Environmental Best Practice Handbook       The best practices compiled in this document came about via a collaboration of the SLHTA environmental committee. We chose, as a group, to spend time to visit each other’s properties with a view to openly share what is working for us and to generally expand the knowledge and opportunities that would be of global value to the industry within St. Lucia. To download a copy of our Environmental Best Practices Handbook click here http://www.slhta.com/environmental-best-practices-handbook/

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