Blue Economy Conference 2019
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In 2015, the Government of Saint Lucia and a number of civil society actors founded the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund (SLUNCF). The Saint Lucia Hospitality & Tourism Association (SLHTA) is the current Chair of the Fund which is dedicated to the conservation, restoration and effective management of Saint Lucia’s biodiversity and natural resources.
On 15
th
October 2019, the SLUNCF was invited by the Caribbean Development Bank to attend the CDB’s Blue Economy Conference 2019. SLHTA CEO and SLUNCF Chairman, Noorani Azeez along with SLUNCF CEO Dr. Vasantha Chase and SLHTA President Karolin Troubetzkoy in her capacity as Envoy of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI) was in attendance at the one day conference.
The Blue Economy represents a paradigm shift for the Caribbean. BEC 2019 gathered regional stakeholders to build that paradigm—creating a market that effectively leverages and sustains coastal resources.
Sessions focused on the following themes:
- Blue Economy Briefing from the last 12 months, with a look at emerging programs and how the region has responded to action items from BEC 2018.
- Marine Renewables are poised to provide energy security and resilience across the region. Panelists will look at technology, finance and regulation as pieces of that system, and how to balance opportunity with environmental policy.
- Matching Financial Tools to Projects means creating the right partnership structures and understanding funding options. What opportunities exist, and what does private capital need to see in order to invest in the region?
- Gender Equity and inclusion will be a critical measure of success for blue-growth strategies. How do we foster that equity? And what can we learn from women in the field?
- Reflections and Regional Perspectives from policymakers offer critical insights and updates on work happening in the BE space.
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Caribbean Society for Hotel Association Executives meet to share best practices
The Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE) met to share best practices and discuss solutions to challenges facing members. CSHAE is an independent organization for the professional development of national hotel association executives from the 32 CHTA member national hotel associations from around the region. SLHTA CEO Noorani Azeez attended the discussions held in Turks and Caicos this week, which provided a forum for networking and deliberations on issues concerning good governance and institutional strengthening. The group also held discussions with CHTA President Patricia Affonso-Dass and Present Elect Karen Whitt.
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The battle for the SLHTA Champions Cup 2019 concluded on October 12, 2019 at the Phillip Marcellin Grounds in Vieux Fort.
Royalton and West Tech were scheduled to play for the third place. A no show by West Tech guaranteed a third place finish for Royalton in the end.
The battle for the coveted title of being crowned SLHTA Champions Cup 2019 was between last year's winner Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa and the 2015 champions, Sugar Beach A Viceroy Resort. The game promised to be a tough one for both teams as they vied for ultimate supremacy.
In the end Sugar Beach were victorious as they secured their win with a scoreline of one goal to nil. The only successful scorer being Anthony Soulage in the 20th minute for Sugar Beach.
Congratulations to Sugar Beach as they secured their second SLHTA Champions Cup trophy.
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Recruiting the right talent just got easier
A new recruitment solution has been introduced in Saint Lucia. Ms. Goretti J Paul, experienced Human Resource Professional, Founder and Managing Director of HRWise, has launched a sister subsidiary…TalentScope - A professional employment firm that specializes in matching the best talent to right businesses for part-time, temporary and permanent positions.
So what makes TalentScope so different? Simply put, innovation…TalentScope delivers convenience, speed, efficiency and most importantly value to clients, through a range of employment related services which include access to skilled candidates in real time, featured vacancy posts for more visibility, superior ranking in search results, psychometric assessments, pre-employment reference checks, work permit applications processing, Professional Employer Organization (PEO) services/ staffing solutions and more. The game changer is that it is fully automated; giving employers and potential employees access and control at their fingertips.
Employers will enjoy the benefits of TalentScope’s cutting-edge job dashboard, which is the perfect platform to find top talent in real time for their businesses. With access to a wide cross-section of candidates globally, it is easy to navigate and is “always on”. Employers can manage their profile, post vacancies, adjust expiry dates, access the database of job seekers, view job seekers’ profiles, resumes and contact information all in one place.
Job Seekers will enjoy the benefits of new job alerts, increased visibility to a wide range of potential employers, featured resumes and TalentScope’s revolutionary job matching service.
“We are extremely happy about this new platform which facilitates the pairing of candidates and employers for best fit. My aim is to influence positive change in how human resource management is perceived, executed and valued, by creating new opportunities through empowerment. HRWise has reflected that and with the introduction of TalentScope, even more companies and job seekers will benefit” said Ms. Goretti Paul, Managing Director of HRWise & TalentScope.
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CARIBBEAN HOTELS AND ASPIRING VACATIONERS UNITE TO SUPPORT NORTHERN BAHAMAS
Overwhelming response to 'holiday auction" prompts second round
Travelers wishing to support the victims of Hurricane Dorian are stepping up to the plate by seizing opportunities to travel to the Caribbean and areas of The Bahamas unaffected by the unprecedented storm.
Nearly 100 of the region's outstanding hotels responded to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association's (CHTA) call for support of a one-month online travel auction last month. The response from hoteliers was overwhelming, prompting CHTA to launch a second travel auction this month.
Hurricane Dorian unleashed historic destruction on The Abacos and Grand Bahama, destroying critical infrastructure, leveling thousands of homes and businesses, and uprooting the lives of tens of thousands of residents, many of whom are now homeless.
The first round of the online auction raised more than US$50,000, which will be directed to assist with the long-term recovery efforts, helping affected tourism-related employees, and building back a better tourism product for Abaco and its Cays, and Grand Bahama.
"The contributions from our hotel membership from over 30 Caribbean destinations have been generous, and we can't thank them enough for supporting this worthy cause," said Frank Comito, CHTA's Director General and CEO.
Encouraged by the contributions of Caribbean hotels and resorts which continued to pour in following the rollout of the auction, the association launched round two of the auction early in October with many more options from some of the world's most desirable resorts and destinations.
"Those looking to escape to the Caribbean, including islands in The Bahamas unaffected by the storm, will have the twin benefit of booking holiday travel at a bargain, while supporting the people of The Bahamas," Comito asserted.
CHTA's President, Barbados-based hotelier Patricia Affonso-Dass, concurred: "Lovers of the Caribbean as well as those who are looking to fall in love with the Caribbean for the first time will have many destinations and hotels to choose from as they shop and bid on vacation options, while helping those in need."
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Harry Edwards Jewelers 3rd Annual Domino Tournament
For the 3
rd
consecutive year, Harry Edwards Jewelers has successfully hosted their island-wide Taxi Drivers’ Association Domino Tournament with participants from the Hewanorra International Airport in the south, to the duty-free ports of Castries, to the hotels of the North. In each association, taxi drivers first competed to determine their strongest players, who then represented their respective hut at the event, which took place on Saturday, October 12, 2019, at the Civil Service Association (CSA) Center in Castries.
The defending champions of the Southern Taxi Association Francis Palton and Luden James were able to battle their way back into the finals and went head to head against Holiday Taxi La Place Carenage Taxi Association team Max Richard and Michael Flavien in a best-of-three set. It seemed at first that the Southern Taxi team would retain their title for a second straight year winning the first round 6 to 5, however, the La Place Carenage team was not to be taken lightly. With great determination they were able to win the second and third rounds with scores of 6 to 2 and 6 to 0 respectively, securing their victory and becoming the new champions.
Our third and fourth place winners are both from Sandals Halcyon Hotel 3
rd
place winners Joseph Anson & Marius Antoine scores of 6 5 6 and 4
th
place winners Danny Innocent & Tobias Jn Pierre of - 0 6 3
Managing Director of Harry Edwards Jewelers Mr Thomas Ladner commented “The taxi drivers are one of the first contacts that visitors to our island reach out to upon arriving in St Lucia. It is important to recognize their contributions and show appreciation for their efforts. As a country it is imperative that all sectors work together for the common goal of enhancing the experience for visitors to St Lucia. Working together ensures a better future for us all.”
The organizer of the event, Ms Sonia Graham who is also the Hotels Coordinator for Harry Edwards Jewelers commented “Without the help of our thirty-plus sponsors, this event could not take place. We sincerely thank our Platinum sponsors Howelton Estate, Courts Unicomer and Automotive Art for all the gifts and assistance they provided. We also had significant support from the corporate community companies, namely The Cell who provided power-bank battery chargers, spa treatments and dinners from prestigious hotels specifically Jade Mountain Resort, The Landing Resort & Spa Hotel, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort and Royalton Saint Lucia Resort, fuel vouchers from Rubis, hamper items and baskets from Blue Waters and PCD Experience , as well as wine and spirits from St Lucia Distillers, Windward & Leeward Brewery, Antillia Brewing Company and La Cantina to name a few. This Tournament was a terrific way to open the 2019/2020 Cruise and Hotel tourism season.
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25 Years and Counting!
The Reef Kite + Surf on Sandy Beach in Vieux Fort celebrates its 25th year this month as St Lucia's premier independent, professional wind- and kitesurfing centre.
Established in 1994 by Cecile Wiltshire - one of just a handful of certified black female windsurfing instructors in the world at that time - The Reef has always maintained high industry standards. It is now the longest-running water sports school in St Lucia. In 2001, The Reef spearheaded the introduction of kitesurfing to St Lucia, and has recently added that sport's latest innovation: hydrofoiling. Sandy Beach is the perfect location in St Lucia for this new sport, with its sandy bottomed bay, no coral reefs or rocks anywhere in the bay, and steady cross-shore winds. The bay allows for almost a mile by a kilometer of uncrowded wind- and kitesurfing, with clean winds, and very safe conditions. The beach curves into the wind on the lower end of the bay, which you always end up back on the beach - if the safety boat does not get there first! The Reef Kite + Surf offers kitesurfing lessons at all levels, from zero to hero, including hydrofoil lessons and advanced tricks and jumps. In addition, there is a well-stocked stable of kitesurfing equipment for rent, and storage facilities for independent kiters. Twenty-five years on, The Reef continues to support windsurfing as well, with a good stable of boards in all sizes, and a wide range of sails.
Safety, fun and exhilaration galore, for everyone enjoying the sea and the beach at Sandy Beach. If you don't feel like getting wet, but do enjoy the spectacle of lithe bodies skimming the waves, then enjoy the shade of the seagrape and almond trees, grab a beach lounger, order a cold beer, a banana milkshake and some of Chef Garon Jean's home made delicacies at The Reef Beach Cafe, and just chill!
Finally, The Reef Beach Huts offer comfortable and affordable air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, for a week or a weekend's escape from the hectic pace up north.
The Reef Kite + Surf is open again from 1st November. The Reef Beach Cafe is open 7 days a week, from 8am till 10 pm (Mondays 6pm), with food & drinks served all day long at prices as low as we can keep them, making The Reef the place for everyone, to enjoy St Lucia at its best.
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Amazing Christmas Raffle Prizes
- Jade Mountain - One Night All Inclusive for Two in Pool Sanctuary
- Ladera Resort - Two Night Stay for Two inclusive of Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Beverages
- Calabash Cove Resort & Spa - Weekend for Two including Breakfast & Dinner
- Anse Chastanet - Two Nights All Inclusive for Two in a Hillside Deluxe Room
- St James' Club Morgan Bay St Lucia - All Inclusive Three Night Stay for Two
- Bay Gardens Hotel & Inn - Weekend for Two with Breakfast
- SeaSpray Cruises - Sunset Cruise for Two
- Jade Mountain - Lunch for Two
- Cap Maison - Dinner for Two at Naked Fisherman
- Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa & Beach Resort - Dinner for Two
- Anse Chastanet - Day Pass for Two with Lunch
- Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa - Day Pass for Two
- Marigot Bay Resort & Marina - Dinner for Two at The Rum Cave
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