SAINT LUCIA’S Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee and Acting Chief Executive Officer at the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority Mrs. Tiffany Howard have joined other Caribbean tourism professionals, policymakers and strategic partners from the public and private sectors for a week of events this week.
The State of Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) at Atlantis, Paradise Island from October 1-5, 2018 is focusing on opportunities for enhancing the region’s tourism product. It will be led by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation under the theme, “Rejuvenate. Recreate. Reconnect. New Directions for Caribbean Tourism.”
During the week-long conference experts from marketing, technology, sustainability and other relevant areas will provide participants with insight into using the latest ideas to the advantage of their businesses.
“As a small island developing state and considering the impact of the 2017 hurricane season on the Caribbean, it is imperative that Saint Lucia, and the region, discusses the critical Issues of climate change and the importance of building resilience,” said Fedee.
Adding her voice, Howard noted that, “Offering our contribution at this forum will broaden the views on the non-isolated issues that we face, while crafting new plans for growth and development within the industry, including a long term marketing plan for the Caribbean.”
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority revamped the marketing strategy for the island’s tourism product in 2017 introducing the tagline, ‘Let Her Inspire You’ which the Caribbean Tourism Organisation recognised as the best social media marketing campaign in the Caribbean in 2018.
Also recently, Saint Lucia won the title of ‘Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination’ at the 25th annual World Travel Awards. This is the ninth time that the island has secured the title in ten years.
As part of the strategy to enhance the island’s tourism offerings, the Ministry of Tourism has earmarked eight communities nationally for the development of the Village Tourism programme: Gros-Islet, Anse La Raye, Canaries, Soufriere, Choiseul, Vieux Fort, Micoud and Dennery.
The idea is to convert each of the communities into a tourism destination, showcasing its unique culture, heritage and history. Each community’s focus will be different thereby creating an experience for visitors unlike any other destination. (SLTA)