TOURISM MATTERS

SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund meets to discuss way forward

Citizen security, small business support and human resources development were key aspects of discussions at last week’s meeting of the Board of Trustees of the SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund. Chaired by Winston Anderson of Sandals Resorts International, the Board renewed its endorsement of the following key thematic areas which will receive priority attention for funding over the next three years.

These include:

Environmental (beautification, conservation, preservation, mitigating negative impacts consequential to tourism footprint)
Human Resource Development (industry employees and unemployed)
Health and Wellness (disabilities, outbreaks, non-communicable diseases awareness, healthy lifestyles promotion, hyperbaric chamber support. Pediatric care, etc.)
Visitor Safety and Security (beach security, advocacy, bay demarcations)
Entrepreneurship (training, incubation facilities, trash to cash)

The Trustees also received a very informative presentation from the Project Management and Development Unit of the Prime Minister's Office on national efforts to address crime and citizen security. Trustees were generally impressed with the diverse nature of the interventions, the progress mapping of the interventions and the gains being reported thus far. Other project proposals were considered and will be circulated in future editions of the newsletter.

SLHTA President discusses productivity tool with National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC)

SLHTA President Karolin Troubetzkoy held a meeting with representatives of the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council and Compete Caribbean. The discussions focused on some of the key pain points facing the Saint Lucia Tourism industry. President Troubetzkoy shared some of the regional challenges including restrictions on airlift, cost of operations, availability of skilled human resources in specialized skills, hindrances to transition towards more renewal energy sources and insufficient industry consultation on critical issues and the impact of the sharing economy on traditional business models.

The Protool software introduced by the NCPC is designed to measure levels of productivity and make recommendations for firms to adjust procedures and systems to improve areas of deficiency. The software also enables the NCPC to map aggregate productivity levels and identify concerns by sector which may require state intervention to address the challenges. The model was developed after review of global best practices.

The three agencies are exploring a presentation to the SLHTA Members in January 2020 to share the software with them for feedback and possible customization to meet sector specific and company specific needs.

SLHTA Chef's Table Luncheon features Linkages and Synergies

A Chef’s Table Luncheon Meeting of the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) was held on Friday November 22nd, 2019 at the newly opened Orlando’s Restaurant located in Rodney Bay.

The Event commenced with a Mini-Tradeshow highlighting small business and farmers who have built alliances and successful relationships with the Association. This initiative was deemed necessary to be incorporated into the usual luncheon as the theme chosen was “Linkages and Synergies”. The Meeting proceedings commenced at 1:00 pm with the Mistress of Ceremonies Ms. Yola St. Jour, Finance and Administration and Board Secretary calling it to order. The President Mrs. Karolin Troubetzkoy opened with welcoming remarks followed by the Chair of the Chef’s Table Committee and Board of Director representative for Large Hotels Mr. Winston Anderson. Ms. Donalyn Vittet, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Tourism, Information and Broadcasting was invited and she presented on updates related to the Tourism Industry as members prepare for the peak visitor arrival season. Also, in attendance was Project Manager, OECS Regional Tourism Competitiveness Project, Dr. Lorraine Nicholas who presented on the status of developments under this project. Deputy Director of Agricultural Services, Mr. Barry Innocent, represented the Ministry of Agriculture and also gave the attendees an insight to what is happening within the Ministry.

Several Members from the Large, High End Boutique Hotels and Luxury Villa Operators were in attendance and shared their concerns and questions with the invited guest speakers and Board representatives as a healthy discourse took place throughout the event. Ms. Donette Ismael, Programme Manager for the SLHTA Tourism Enhancement Fund closed the meeting showing appreciation for the TEF contributors and giving an update on the fund and current and future projects.

...Getting to Know...

New SLHTA Member Converge Solutions Inc.

Converge Solutions Inc. (Converge) is a Caribbean company, with its head office based in Saint Lucia, specializing in the use, application and integration of information and communication technology – (ICT) – for the growth and development of business.

Converge, as we are more popularly known was established in April 2006, to provide solutions for small, medium and large businesses across vertical markets, that is; finance, hospitality, retail, health, education, utilities, corporate and government; for voice communication, networking infrastructure, security, wireless communication, e-commerce solutions to include website development and enablement of on-line payment transactional processing services.

Converge is a true “One –Stop-shop” of ICT Solutions supplier and integrator, providing customers with bespoke, value added solutions.

Our team consists of a cadre of expertise in the ICT technology spectrum enabling us to offer a diverse suite of solutions to our customers via our one-stop-shop.

Our teams are aligned along four (4) key lines of business as follows:

Enterprise Communication Solutions
Enterprise Application Solution Development
Enterprise Network Maintenance and Support Services
Outsource ICT Services from our Professional Team

For more information visit: https://www.convergesolve.com

...Outstanding Team-Member...

One to Watch

Donette is currently employed at the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association since 2016.

Initially employed as a Agro Tourism Linkages Officer, Ms. Ismael played an integral role in improving the availability of locally grown agricultural produce to the hotel sector. While her previous career experiences included teaching, and serving as a building officer in the Ministry of Physical Development and National Mobilization, Ms. Ismael honed her skills at networking and problem solving to successfully contribute to the SLHTA’s Virtual Agricultural Clearing House which allowed over 400 farmers to make their produce available to over 20 hotels in Saint Lucia.

A degree in Social Communication, Associate Degree in Construction Engineering, the ability to communicate eloquently in English, Spanish and Kweyol are among her diverse technical skills. A people-centered professional, Donette is also super committed to working with Community based groups and young people.

Currently, Donette serves as the Programme Manager for the SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund, a grant and project management facility with has funded over 250 projects over the past five years.

Love Your Planet!

Rendezvous’ Leadership led by example recently with its environmental clean-up campaign on property, the Malabar Beach and surrounding areas. Our sister resort BodyHoliday also recently joined the Cap Estate community with its own clean-up effort, marking the two resorts’ overall advocacy on the issue of environmental sustainability.

Follow up community clean-ups are being planned for the new year to help champion continued education in this area, particularly targeting the younger generations who will be the leaders of tomorrow.

...H.R Development...

HACCP Certification by Springboard

This two and a half-days UK Accredited HACCP Certification Workshop is designed to certify EHOs, Supervisors and Managers in hotel F&B Departments, Food Purchasing and Stores Departments, Food Manufacturing, Food Wholesale and Distribution companies. This workshop is accredited and certificated by the RSPH (Royal Society for Public Health).

As identified by the USA FDA, HACCP plans are key to the use of performance standards as measures of regulatory compliance to Food Safety and recommend that food businesses should have at least one person HACCP certified, particularly if they are in charge of other staff. Once trained and certified they are able to effectively implement and manage a fully compliant FSMS (Food Safety Management System) for their respective organisation and provide the relevant training for their staff... Read More

...Save the Date...

Marketing Meeting of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority

4th December 2019

The Harbor Club

SLHTA’s Quarterly General Meeting

17 December 2019

The Harbor Club

Caribbean Marketplace

21-23 January 2019

The Bahamas

...Spotlight On...

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort

SLHTA wishes Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort a happy anniversary as they celebrate 30 years of operation since they first opened! Over the years, Windjammer has contributed significantly to the island's economy, to their employees and to the SLHTA's Tourism Enhancement Fund.

About the Resort

St. Lucia’s Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is the perfect retreat for couples, honeymooners, families, and any traveler seeking a dramatically-beautiful Caribbean setting and top level service.

The resort was patterned after the picturesque villages of the Mediterranean. Its stunningly-designed and appointed villas, many with private pools and terraces, are spread among 60 flowering acres on one of most the lush islands in the Caribbean. Here, white-washed, red-roofed villas, secluded from neighbors by magnificent trees and flowering tropical bushes, overlook the white sands and tranquil cobalt blue waters of Labrelotte Bay.

...Vacancy Notices...

...Culinary Corner...

Linkages and Synergies

In recent years, the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association in conjunction with its Annual General Meeting has successfully held a Linkages in Tourism Tradeshow hosted by the SLHTA Tourism Enhancement Fund. The event has been so well received that both participants and attendees have requested an increase in such events throughout the year.

In response to that request, on Friday 22nd November the TEF held a Mini Showcase in conjunction with SLHTA’s Chefs Table at Orlando’s Restaurant in Rodney Bay. The event saw a small gathering of farmers, arts and craft persons in an intimate setting that allowed for personalized discussions and networking.

“This is the first of many such showcases to be held throughout the year”, remarked Ms. Donette Ismael TEF Programme Manager. “With a small setting such as the one we have here today, it allows more time to spent with each participant and encourages more business to business conversations”, she explained.

To participant in the next showcase call the SLHTA Secretariat at 453-1811/ 452- 5978 and register .

...Board of Directors...

Contact the SLHTA

The following email addresses have been created to encourage members to engage their Representatives on the SLHTA Board of Directors and to contact the SLHTA Secretariat to address their concerns and queries:

SLHTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mrs. Karolin Troubetzkoy

President