MINISTER for Tourism and Creative Industries Dr. Ernest Hilaire stated that in addition to the many global accolades bestowed on Saint Lucia, government also intends to promote the island as an events destination.
Speaking to reporters, at a media briefing, this week, he said the authorities will extend its marketing campaign to involve the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) industry.
Acknowledging the latest award granted to Saint Lucia at the 4th annual World MICE Awards – as the Caribbean’s Best Corporate Retreat Destination 2023, Dr. Hilaire noted that it was a “big deal” to be recognized at this early stage.
“We made a very determined effort last year to facilitate and to promote the hosting of events, as well as, meetings and conferences in Saint Lucia,” he said.
“For us, to have received that (award) so early it was exciting and we will continue to promote that area,” the minister added.
Hilaire commented on plans for construction works at the Grand Hyatt, in Choiseul “which will be specialising in that area and so, we’re really excited with that.”
Zoning in on the issue of sports tourism, highlighted by Saint Lucian ace sprinter Julien Alfred latest exploits at wining the island’s first Senior Global Championship Medal, he said, “a few years ago, we had placed sports tourism right at the forefront.”
The minister recalled the role of veteran cricket commentator and sports administrator Joseph “Reds” Pereira, instrumental in the management of the OECS Sports Desk. He also served as a Sports Consultant with the then St Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB).
Hilaire said a lot was done to attract schools’ cricket teams from the United Kingdom to Saint Lucia, and especially during the Easter break and summer vacation. And there were lots of promotions involving OECS marathons, swimming, netball and other sports.
“We are building for us to set up again a very active Sports Tourism calendar and the Ministry of Tourism has done a lot in promoting Alternative Sports and that is super exciting for us,” he declared.
The minister noted that though changes have taken place in the global market “from then, compared to now”, the emphasis is on providing adequate facilities to host local and visiting athletes.
“Over the last few years many of the facilities around the island has been upgraded … and that’s what we need,” he stated. “For if we are going to invite schools and other professional teams to come to Saint Lucia, we have to be able to offer them the very best facilities.”
Hilaire said the tourism ministry has set some “big targets” for the coming years to include events such as diving. Sports tourism is key to the ministry’s plan for the coming years.
“You will see a greater effort being done to promote (sports tourism) and this summer, we have quite a lot of sports that will be taking place.”
The minister listed events such as the ICC World Cup Cricket, CPL, English tour, swimming and “we are looking at other areas.”
For the Independence anniversary celebrations, there was drag racing, which he said, has “certainly come along”
“So in the next couple years, Saint Lucia will become the place to come to, in the Eastern Caribbean for sports tourism,” declared Hilaire.