The government of Saint Lucia wants more Saint Lucians to benefit from the island’s main foreign exchange earner: tourism.
“We are on a mission to ensure that more Saint Lucians can benefit from our record breaking performances in Tourism,” Prime Minister Allen Chastanet wrote on his official Facebook page.
Saint Lucia recently hosted executives from the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and brought together stakeholders who play a key role in the management of the cruise sector.
Chastanet said the objective was to better understand the sector and have direct dialogue with cruise executives on areas for development.
“The year 2019 is focused on revenue generation within the tourism sector, so the Department of Tourism has also organized a forum for local suppliers and the FCCA, to dialogue on deepening linkages within the cruise sector,” the prime minister disclosed.
He explained that it is anticipated that approximately 50 local suppliers (sites, attractions, excursion providers, dive operators, producers, etc.), will gain access to trade directly with cruise lines.
“This is a milestone and the first of its kind, to ensure maximum benefits to local suppliers of products and services,” wrote Chastanet, the former tourism minister.