TOURISM MATTERS
Plastic Waste Free Islands project

The SLHTA attended the launch of Plastic Waste Free Islands project in Saint Lucia organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Project's core aims are to:
  • Provide national partners with data and analysis to reduce the amount of plastic waste leakage
  • Enhance adoption of plastic leakage reduction measures by target sectors
  • Co-generate action plans for alternative value chains to strengthen coordination and cooperation amongst different stakeholders along the plastic value chain
  • Develop a blueprint for islands in collaboration with regional bodies. The blueprint will lay down IUCN's recommended approach to reduce plastic leakage on islands.
With support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), IUCN launched the Plastic Waste Free Islands project in 2019. The overarching goal of the project is to reduce plastic leakage to the ocean from six small island developing states (SIDS) - three from the Pacific and three from the Caribbean. The project also aims to repurpose waste into commercially viable products, thereby generating job opportunities and income for local communities. Key regional bodies will also develop and endorse a blueprint for looking at entire value chains, from production to disposal, and also at plastic usage and wastage in different sectors (such as tourism and fisheries). These regional bodies will be able to identify further opportunities to scale up the blueprint’s application, which can be used by any island country. For more information visit the IUCN website at https://www.iucn.org/theme/marine-and-polar/our-work/close-plastic-tap-programme/projects
Hoteliers to focus on Environmental matters at this week’s Chef’s Table

The SLHTA will host another gathering of Large, High End Boutique Hotels and Luxury Villa Operators dubbed our Chefs Table Luncheon. This gathering has traditionally served as a forum for private exchanges among property owners and representatives regarding trends and issues impacting our accommodation sector. The theme for this Chef’s Table Luncheon is “Towards a More Sustainable Tourism Industry.”

The Guest Speaker will be The Honorable Minister Dr. Gale Rigobert, Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development. Mr. Carl Hunter will be presenting updates on the SLHTA Environmental Committee. Also expected to present will be a representative from The Travel Foundation on a collaboration between the TTF and the SLHTA.

The Chefs Table Luncheon will be held on Thursday February 6th, 2020 from 12:00 p.m – 2pm at the Marigot Bay Resort Spa & Marina.
SLHTA discussed incentives for Tourism Services Providers

SLHTA's 1VP, 2VP and CEO met with Minister of Tourism and PS Tourism to discuss incentives for the tourism service providers as well as to assess the impact if the Accommodation Tax to this sector. For a number of years now, Tourism Service Providers have been at the forefront of SLHTA negotiations for incentives and support from Government to invest and expand. Repeated studies indicate that, as guests clamor for greater authenticity in their vacations and direct contact with local people's and topographies, tourism services providers have a distinct advantage being predominantly local entrepreneurs with historic connections to various sites and experiences. 
SLHTA Marketing Committee Meets Up

The SLHTA Marketing Committee had a healthy turn out of members last week as a number of representatives gathered for an update on the following:
  • Feedback on the SLTA Presentation from Dec 2019:
  • Feedback on current marketing activities
  • Sustainability
  • Alignment with niche markets and summer campaign 2020
  • Airlift
  • STR - DATA
  • Coronavirus
  • Brexit
  • Accommodation Fee
  • Saint Lucia Tourism Strategic Action Plan 2020-2030
  • La Belle Helene Magazine 2019/2020
SLHTA Director Kirk Elliott inducted into TripAdvisor Hall of Fame

Internationally acclaimed St Lucia Photographer Kirk Elliott recently saw his St Lucia Photo Tour inducted into the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame. Elliott created the St Lucia Photo Tour in 2014 and this unique and novel visitor experience went on to win TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence for five (5) consecutive years and as a consequence earned the prestigious award. In communicating the news to Elliott TripAdvisor wrote: “Because you’ve earned a Certificate of Excellence every year for the past five years, we’re pleased to announce that St Lucia Photo Tours has qualified for the Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame.”

When asked how he felt about this recent accomplishment an elated Elliott replied: “I am both honoured and humbled by this award and see it as recognition in its purest form since the award is based solely on satisfied clients voting the St Lucia Photo Tour best in class.” The St Lucia Photo Tour is currently ranked the #1 Outdoor Activity in Castries and one of the Top 5 Photo Tours in the entire Caribbean by TripAdvisor. When asked what does he attribute the success of the Photo Tour to Elliott explained: “I am passionate about photography, and challenges and obstacles I’ve faced along the way have inspired me to develop a signature Kirk Elliott product and a brand that epitomizes caring and sharing – from picking up the phone and calling every prospective client who contacts me, to offering a 100% No Questions Asked Money Back Guarantee – that’s just my style!”
ECCO SETS SAIL ON THE ISLAND’S TERRITORIAL WATERS

Licensing Boat Rides It has been remarkable to watch the growth of events in St. Lucia. The creativity, the specialty services offered, cabanas, themes, captivating promotional campaigns and so much more. We have become a premier destination, for the most exciting fetes tracked by drones and re-lived over and over on social media.

Event/Party cruises, aka, boat rides, contribute to the wide range of options that promoters have when deciding how to fete. The planning, permissions and partnerships required to get that done at a high standard so that patrons will look forward to the event, the next time around, could not be an easy undertaking. We applaud the hard work and skill of our promoters... Read More
SLHTA Chefs in Schools Programme
ONE TO WATCH
Lance Alphonse, Entrepreneur

The Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association wishes to feature the " One To Watch " in this weeks Tourism Matters Newsletter.

Lance Alphonse was a former student of the Bocage Secondary School, and a participant in the SLHTA's first Chefs in Schools Programme in 2013.

We pulled this post from his personal Facebook account, as he shares his success story with his friends, family and followers. We invite you to follow his Business Facebook Page (Click Here)

Lance explains that "Words cant even Express how proud I am of myself bro. First Job as a security guard was really frustrating, but I always believed that one day I would get a job in a hotel so that I could pursue my dreams of being a Chef. Finally i was lucky to get a job in a hotel (Bay Gardens Resorts) as a steward, since I didn't know anything about cooking as yet and really didn't know anything about stewarding either. My first night shift on the job as a steward I can remember crying when I got home after a hard night of washing so much dishes for the first time in my life. I spent 3 years as a steward and it was nothing easy. But that didn't stop me from achieving what I wanted to do in life. On my lunch hour I would stay back and watch and learn from the chefs even help them to. I remember on my off days coming to work just to learn from the chefs until the head chef promoted me and gave me a chance. I'm so grateful to Chef Nicodemus Joseph (Chef Nico), and I will always remember you as the one who gave me the opportunity to live a dream life of having my own business. Today I'm the young and proud owner of  #LaBurgerJoint ,  a small fast food business located in Bagatelle Castries. Will surely work hard day and night to push this business forward cause life is what you make it nothing is impossible 'believe'  💯💯 ."

The Association is very proud of Lances' Achievement and wishes him the very best in the future.
SLHTA’s TOURISM ENHANCEMENT FUND HIGHLIGHTS

Last week a committee comprising board members from the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund and the SLHTA Tourism Enhancement Fund met to review applications for Environmental Projects with a Tourism Focus. The panel reviewed applications tackling issues of marine conservation, climate change, job creation and public sensitization. The engagement marked the continued collaboration between the SLUNCF and the TEF.

Last year the TEF donated a first tranche of USD$50,000.00/ EC$135,845.00 to the SLUNCF earmarked for Tourism Based Environmental Projects. The disbursement formed part of an overall donation is USD$200,000.00/ EC$543,380.00 to the fund over a two-year timeframe.

Representatives on the panel included the Dr. Vasantha Chase, Dr. Marie-Louise Felix, Mr. Felix Finisterre, Mr. John Mathurin and Ms. Donette Ismael.

To benefit from this grant please look out for the next call for proposals on the TEF and SLUNCF website and your local Newspapers.

For more information on the work of our TEF please visit us on http://www.saintluciatef.com/
Rodney Bay Clean Up

The SLHTA Tourism Enhancement Fund along with a concerned visitor to our isle conducted a walk-through of the Rodney bay Strip to discuss the environmental situation in the area as it relates to garbage disposal and cleanup. The TEF over the past 5 years had engaged a contactor to clean and carry out maintenance work in the general area, unfortunately due to budget constrains the TEF was unable to continue carrying the burden as a sole agency.

The TEF is engaging in stakeholder consultation to formulate a collaborative effort to help mitigate the existing situation and foster a cleaner environment that both locals and visitors can enjoy. This week the TEF is meeting with the Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority and the Gros Islet Town Council.

If you or your agency is interested in being part of the solution please feel free to contact Christine Louis at the SLHTA Secretariat at 453-1811 to indicate your interest. Let us work together for a cleaner environment.

For more information on the work of our TEF please visit us on http://www.saintluciatef.com/
St Lucia Helicopters
The Most Fun Way To See
"Simply Beautiful Saint Lucia!" 
World Bank Report Recommends Actions for Sustainable Blue Economy in the Caribbean

In advance of World Oceans Day, the World Bank released a report that analyzes how marine pollution in the Caribbean impacts the region’s resilience to climate change. The report recommends restoring degraded ecosystems, protecting the Caribbean’s marine resources, and scaling up wastewater management systems to transition towards a blue economy.

The report titled, ‘Marine Pollution in the Caribbean: Not a Minute to Waste,’ identifies the main sources of marine pollution in the Caribbean, including: plastics; wastewater, agricultural runoff and sewage; and industrial pollution such as oil, heavy metals and toxic chemicals. Solid waste and wastewater are the “most pervasive” sources of marine pollution in the region, and are projected to increase as populations and tourism grow. Currently, approximately 85 percent of wastewater in the region enters the ocean untreated. In addition, over 320,000 tons of plastic waste remains uncollected each year in the Caribbean, much of which then ends up in the oceans and seas. Plastic shards make up nearly 80 percent of the total marine litter in Caribbean waters, and plastic bottles, single-use plastic items and foam containers are also common marine litter. https://sdg.iisd.org/news/world-bank-report-recommends-actions-for-sustainable-blue-economy-in-the-caribbean/

The report identifies the main sources of marine pollution in the Caribbean, including wastewater and plastics.

It proposes a 12-point action plan to reverse the threat of marine pollution in the Caribbean and transition towards a more sustainable blue economy that can preserve ocean resources, build resilience and generate growth.

The report emphasizes that Caribbean nations can use the SDG framework as an opportunity to realign and strengthen their national efforts.

The report emphasizes that Caribbean nations can use the SDG framework as an opportunity to realign and strengthen their national efforts to protect the environment and achieve inclusive economic prosperity. [Publication:  Marine Pollution in the Caribbean ] [ World Bank Press Release ]
SLHTA Chefs’ Table Meeting of Large and Boutique Hotels
Thursday 6th February 2020

Marigot Bay Resort Spa & Marina, Marigot Bay
Time 12:30 pm

SLHTA Purchasing and Cost Control Training
3-5 February 2020

SLHTA’s Hospitality Training Centre, Rodney Heights
Time 9 am – 4 pm

SLHTA’s Young Leaders’ Management Training
7 February 2020

SLHTA’s Hospitality Training Centre, Rodney Heights
Time 12:30pm -2:30 pm
Ginger Lily Hotel
We are a family owned eleven bedroom boutique hotel located in the heart of Rodney Bay Village, St Lucia, just moments away from Reduit Beach.

Offering a relaxing and peaceful setting, perfect to unwind and enjoy all that St Lucia has to offer... Read More
Restaurant Manager

Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain Resorts are seeking the services of a Restaurant Manager to oversee our Jade Club Restaurant operations.

The successful applicant will be expected to assist the Food and Beverage Director in coordinating and managing Food service at the resort’s renowned Jade Club, to assure a high standard of service quality, and guest satisfaction.

He/she should possess:
  • High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma and two to three full years of related employment in a 4/5 star resort.
  • Advance knowledge of Restaurant/Food profession principles and practices
  • Proficiency in : Employee/Team engagement processes.
  • Certification in HACCP
  • Leader in Customer Service
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills
  • The ability to Plan, hire, train, oversee and manage the members of staff
  • Critical thinker and problem-solving skills
  • Team player
  • Good organizational and time-management skills
  • The use of Microsoft Software Applications

Must be available to work on call, shifts after hours, over weekends and on public holidays.

Please send your resume to: vacancies@ansechastanet.com
...Culinary Corner...
The SLHTA Dine Around Program is set to receive a booster shot this month. The project, headed by SLHTA President Karolin Troubetzkoy has been able to attract a number of hotel restaurant and the return of a number of former SLHTA members. Set to be re-launched soon, the project will feature an aggressive social media campaign designed to generate greater on-line visibility for members listed on the dine around website. Look our for more information on this in our next edition of the SLHTA Newsletter!