Anse L’Ivorgne Beach Route a New Hiking Experience.
IN the continued vein of community development and the creation of sustainable employment, the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SRDF), officially opened and endorsed an entrance to the Gros Piton Nature Tail through the AnseL’Ivorgne Beach on Thursday.
The new hiking experience encapsulates a unique adventure in which visitors are now graced with an option through which to experience the allure of the world renowned Gros Piton climb from sea level, in addition to experiencing an adventurous sea excursion and a pristine beach with therapeutic surroundings.
The realization of accomplishing this new initiative has been squarely pitched on the SRDF’s mandate to enhance the socio-economic fabric of the community and fully maximize the rich potential of the tourist site.
Said SRDF Executive Director Jimmy Haynes: “The organization has been actively engaged in transforming the economic landscape of Soufriere. This was an opportunity to develop and enhance a unique and extraordinary premiere attraction in which the direct spinoff would be all encompassing, with the creation of jobs and stimulated economic activity.”
Haynes added that the successful translation of the product experience was all due to effective and strategic natural resource management and being able to harness the social capital of the community and preserving what is endemic to St. Lucia.
Addressing the opening ceremony which was attended by representatives from local hotels and other stakeholders, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Commerce, Industry, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs, Bradley Felix commended the SRDF for being a catalyst for economic growth and spoke of the multiplier effect that the creation of the jobs from the new initiative would have in the community.
A total of 16 persons were employed as a result of the undertaking with the scope for further employment as the product continues to evolve.
The Soufriere Foundation is a non-profit company located in Soufriere. Its mandate is to undertake social, cultural, human resource, tourism and infrastructure development in the Soufriere area. The organization which was established in 1993 generates revenues from its operational sites: the Sulphur Springs Park, Gros Piton Nature Trail, Comfort Center, Soufriere jetties and 88.5 Soufriere FM.