Saint Lucia: Ernest Hilaire, the Minister of Tourism of Saint Lucia, announced in a press appearance recently the results of the Quarterly Review and the Tourism Advisory Committee, which expressed the committed development in the tourism industry of the nation. The challenges seen in the development of the tourism sector in the nation are also highlighted.
Minister Ernest Hilaire talked about the tourism committee and their meeting, which paid attention towards multiple upcoming projects in a row which are intended to shape the landscape of the tourism sector in Saint Lucia. The primary projects like Mt Pinard Development, Reduit Beach Development, Sabwisha Choiseulis, Black Bay and other such developments were part of the discussion that is scheduled to be implemented in recent months.
Ernest Hilaire also paid attention towards and mentioned the challenges that are faced in the immediate developments in the sector, especially in relation to the options of housing. Currently, due to renovation and construction works related to the plans, a significant amount of rooms are expected to be closed, which will create a setback in the tourism industry and hospitality of the visitors. Around 900 rooms will be out of service on the island around the renovation works in the coming months.
However, Ernest Hilaire mentioned this issue as a temporary problem and expressed his optimism towards the growth of the development of the tourism industry in recent years. Minister Hilaire shared the expected construction and openings of around 1000 more new spaces to host guests, which will fulfil the need of increasing demand for tourism in Saint Lucia and also promote sustainability.
As per the statement of Ernest Hilaire, it is also intended to improve tourism through cruises in the nation and make visitors experience better, which will promote Saint Lucia as a top tourist destination. The development plans also include the development of Port Castries, the introduction of GPH product, Pt deepening Seraphine and the creation of new attractions like the Serenity Park Amphitheater, the Vendors Arcade and the renovation of the Soufriere Waterfront.
Other than all of this, Minister Hilaire also announced the future review of the tourism development law in the parliamentary session. This legislation will bring betterment to the tourism industry, which will take incentives other than accommodation and encourage the local citizens to participate in the development and growth of the tourism industry.
Ernest Hilaire focused the commitments of government to empower the local citizens of the nation by making them part of the development as stakeholders in the tourism sector while considering the importance of local involvement in the process.