Saint Lucia: Ernest Hilaire, the Tourism Minister of Saint Lucia, released a statement recently to deny claims over the rumours and concerns about alleged travel advisories for Saint Lucia by the Canadian government. Minister Hilaire denied the existence of travel advisories imposed by Canada because of crime on the island while Speaking to reporters and in an assembly meeting on Tuesday, 20 February.
Ernest Hilaire in his statement encouraged people of the nation to do their research and mentioned that Canada has not issued any official travel advisory due to the crime rate in Saint Lucia. Hilaire pointed the finger at the opposition for spreading misinformation with the intention of covering the works of the ruling government.
The Minister of Tourism, Ernest Hilaire, also highlighted the general nature of the travel advisories of major countries in his statement, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, and indicated them as standard practice to inform their citizens of potential risks that they can face while travelling in other nations.
On the speculation, Ernest Hilaire said that the information about Saint Lucia on the website of the Canadian government is still consistent with previous estimates. He said Saint Lucia, along with most Caribbean nations, has the lowest level of risk according to the assessments of Canadian authorities.
While recognising the approach of the Canadian government, Minister Hilaire explained that while some Caribbean countries such as the Bahamas, Guyana, and Jamaica may have a slightly higher level of risk, the region overall maintains its status as a safe destination. The Canadian government has confirmed this position.
Even after the concerns about crime rates in the nation, the minister assured the public that Saint Lucia remains a safe destination and encouraged visitors to follow the advice of the Canadian government to take common precautions.
The arguments of Minister Ernest Hilaire highlight the importance of spreading accurate information and the resilience of Saint Lucia and the tourism industry to external pressures while acknowledging the need to be aware about the security concerns.
The Ministry of Tourism continues to work diligently to maintain the island and its reputation as a top tourist destination and emphasises cooperation with international partners to ensure the safety and satisfaction of visitors to Saint Lucia.