Saint Lucia welcomed global travel agents at a lavish ‘all-white’ gala reception on Saturday at Secrets Resorts, celebrating their dedication and invaluable support in promoting the island’s captivating destination.
The 6th Annual Global Piton Awards brought together key travel agents and partners from the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean for an enchanting evening filled with exquisite hospitality, local cuisine, and lively entertainment.
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) proudly honoured 34 top-performing travel advisors and tour operators for their exceptional contributions to enhancing visitor arrivals and tourism revenue in 2025. An SLTA official remarked, “These travel professionals are not just sales leaders; they are ambassadors for Saint Lucia, creating opportunities for businesses and communities, and supporting the livelihoods of thousands of Saint Lucians who rely on tourism.”
During the reception, special recognition was given to all award winners and recipients of prestigious awards, including the Prime Minister’s Award for Exceptional Global Sales Performance by Revenue, presented to Kerri Logan Shirk of Sunlover Travel.
The SLTA expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank you for sharing the Saint Lucia story with the world and helping make 2025 another remarkable year for our destination.”
The Global Piton Awards program remains one of the destination’s premier travel trade recognition initiatives, honouring professionals whose dedication, expertise, and passion for selling Saint Lucia significantly contribute to the island’s tourism success.
In his address, Minister of Tourism, Investment, and Creative Industries, John Paul Estaphane, expressed appreciation for the unwavering support of travel professionals. “Every booking you make means more than just a vacation. It supports jobs, businesses, and communities across Saint Lucia,” he told the awardees. “Your efforts are vital for the livelihoods of thousands of Saint Lucians and support one of our economy’s most important sectors. We are deeply grateful for your partnership.”
The Minister also highlighted Saint Lucia’s ongoing growth in community tourism, expanding hotel inventory, enhanced airlift, and a growing portfolio of events and experiences. He encouraged advisors to continue elevating the destination in their respective markets.
Louis Lewis, CEO of the SLTA, noted an upward trend for Saint Lucia in the global market, particularly in the United States. He expressed optimism about the growth of visitor arrivals, especially within an extended romance market that integrates health and wellness into the destination’s offerings.
Lewis also announced that Saint Lucia’s underwater sculpture parks will soon be featured prominently. Noting that the Global Piton Awards event recognizes the “Best of the Best,” he emphasized the opportunity it provides for travel agents to experience the island’s beauty, unique sites, and cultural expressions.
Lewis applauded the awardees for their dedication to the destination, stating, “The Global Piton Awards celebrate more than just sales achievements; they honor ambassadors of Saint Lucia who consistently share our story with travelers worldwide. Your passion, professionalism, and belief in our destination have helped position Saint Lucia as one of the Caribbean’s leading tourism spots, for which we are truly grateful.”
The 2026 Global Piton Award Winners include:
Canada
– Phillip Newton Bastiampillai – Travelair Inc.
– Kim Hartlen – Kim Hartlen Travel-Trevello
– Lois Barbour – Travel Time Agency
– Jennifer Gaskell – Pink Palm Travel
– Alicia DaSilva – Luxe Destination Weddings
United States
– Mary Lynn Thomas – Alpha World Travel
– Nancy Finn – My Island Getaways
– Nancy Raymond – Cruise Planners
– Shelli Nornes – Romance Travel Group
– Linda Dancer – Honeymoons Inc.
– Mark Hennigan – Dreamers Travel
– Mitch Toren – TripGuy
– Sally Jane Smith – TravelSmiths
– Mary Fowler – Riverside Tours and Travel
– Carlie Marie Finch – 2 Travel Anywhere LLC
– Kerri Logan Shirk – Sunlover Travel
– Jodie Robichaud – Happy Travels LLC
– Melissa Mencher – TripGuy Travel
– Georgiann Jaworskyj – Custom Travel Services Inc.
United Kingdom
– Trish Hockin – Tropic Breeze
– Sally Ward – Not Just Travel
– Sarah Soanes – TUI
– Rebecca Cueto – La Vida Travel
– Jo Plummer – Tropic Breeze
– Polly Gould – Caribbean Inspired
– Prin Comrie – Audley Travel
– Stavroula Brace – Kenwood Travel
– Lianne Peters – Luxury Deals 4 U
– Claudia Centanni – Kenwood Travel
Caribbean
– Kemberly Maharaj – Kemberly The Travel Agent
– Godley Gonthier – Nayaradou Voyages Travel Agency – Waynewright Orderson – GlobalTT
– Ingrid Lynch – Going Places Travel
– Mindy Martial – Fregate Des Iles
The evening also recognized outstanding contributors in various categories, celebrating the commitment and excellence of travel professionals in promoting Saint Lucia as a premier destination.