Today is World Tourism Day
The importance of digital technologies in tourism, providing opportunities for innovation and preparing the sector for the future of work, is at the centre of World Tourism Day 2018, to be celebrated in Budapest, Hungary (27 September 2018).

World Tourism Day, celebrated every 27 September around the world, is a unique opportunity to raise awareness on tourism’s actual and potential contribution to sustainable development... http://media.unwto.org/event/official-celebration-world-tourism-day-2018-tourism-and-digital-transformation
The Department of Tourism Information and Broadcasting Celebrates World Tourism Day
 
The Department of Tourism, Information and Broadcasting has embarked on an initiative to commemorate World Tourism Day 2018 under the theme “Tourism and the Digital Transformation”. In an effort to continue the awareness of the industry among the youth, the Department will engage in a Schools Outreach whereby discussions will be held with Primary and Secondary Schools on the theme. On Tuesday 25 th September, officials from the Department engaged students from the Monchy Combined, Ave Maria Primary and the Gordon & Walcott Memorial Methodist School at the Castries Town Hall . The students were briefed on the relevance of the theme, the importance of technology as a tool used to increase the demand for our tourism product, as well as general information relating to the industry. Officials also provided the students with branded note pads and pencils from the St. Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA), where they were encouraged to keep a journal on their “tourism related” experiences in Saint Lucia.

The next discussions are scheduled for Thursday September 27 th at the Ciceron Primary and Secondary Schools and Friday September 28 th at the Denney Primary and Secondary Schools. The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) will be partnering with the Department of Tourism in facilitating these discussions. 
SLHTA Supports Governments' Decision to Phase out Plastics

Saint Lucia is one of the Caribbean countries moving along the environmentally friendly path towards better waste management. Recently, Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Gale Rigobert announced that the Department of Sustainable Development is embarking on a strategy to eliminate single-use plastics, polystyrene and expanded polystyrene locally in collaboration with the Department of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce, the Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority, and the Customs and Excise Department.

The St. Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association (SLHTA) fully supports the Government’s plans to phase out Styrofoam containers and plastics, including plates and cups, from December 1 this year and to ban their importation by the end of next year.

Other countries that announced their commitment to keener waste management are:
St. Lucia Government Grants Tours and Excursion Sector Incentive For Development

The Government of Saint Lucia has recognized the tours and attraction sector as key allies in the development of Saint Lucia's tourism. After a collaborative effort between the SLHTA and the Minister for Tourism Honourable Dominic Fedee, the Government agreed to grant concessions on the acquisition of replacement transportation in the tours and attraction sector... READ INCENTIVE
Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Furthermore, the Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, peace and justice. The Goals interconnect and in order to leave no one behind, it is important that we achieve each Goal and target by 2030 ... The 17 Goals
SLHTA/TEF Champions Cup Finale

 The SLHTA/TEF Champions Cup is brewing to a close. The tournament begun on Saturday 11 th August 2018 and for the past eight (8) weeks, sixteen (16) teams played with the big picture in mind, making it to the finals. The Grand Finale is on Sunday 30th September 2018. The location is none other than Vieux Fort at the Philip Marcellin Grounds. 
 
The match for Third Place will be played at 6:00 pm and the intense match to determine the champions of the Cup will commence at 8:00 pm. 
 
Royalton Saint Lucia Resort and Sandals La Toc will grapple for the 3rd Place Spot. 
 
The match of the evening will bring defending champions Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa up against Caribbean Dispatch Services Limited; two teams intent on gaining the victorious title as  The  Champion of the tournament.
 
The medal and trophy presentation ceremony will commence after both matches are finished.  
Furthermore, The SLHTA extends sincere appreciation to the Tourism Enhancement Fund for once again coming on board as the presenting sponsor and CGM Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Lucia) Limited for supporting the tournament as bronze sponsor once again. .. https://www.facebook.com/slhtafootball/
SLHTA Reflects on its Journey to Establish Inter-dependency Between the Agriculture Sector and the Hospitality Sector

In 2016, technology granted the SLHTA the opportunity to bridge the gap between the producers and consumers of agricultural produce in Saint Lucia. A vibrant and effective linkage program that would directly unite agricultural producers to a market place within the fruitful hospitality sector was created. The Virtual Agriculture Clearing House (VACH) uses the WhatsApp platform to connects farmers to buyers, hence eliminating the middle man and decreasing imported produce.
As simple as this tool for trade may sound, it plays an important role in the inter-dependency between the hospitality sector and the farmers. Over the last two years, the number of farmers on the platform grew to four hundred (400)… READ CASE STUDY
SLASPA Sheds Light on The Work of The Maritime Division

The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) through its Maritime Division has over the years impacted the Saint Lucian economy directly and indirectly, through the generation of jobs and other economic activities that are supported through the Maritime Industry. Throughout the years of its existence the department has worked closely with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to educate Saint Lucia’s Boating Community through the facilitation of Boating Safety and Security Seminars as well as Training on Dangerous Goods. They also play an integral role with the revision of Maritime Laws such as the Load Line Regulations and Manning Certificate Regulations. Recently the Division of Maritime Affairs (DMA) with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) conducted Saint Lucia’s IMO IMSAS Audit. 
SLASPA Congratulates the Division of Maritime on its achievements thus far and takes the opportunity to wish the Maritime Department and the wider Maritime Community Happy International Maritime Day.