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Contact:
Claudia Monlouis
Monday, November 8, 2004 - As the only Caribbean recipient of the Five
Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, Saint
Lucia’s tourism industry has been elevated to an elite grouping of the finest,
tourism destinations.
United States Journalist, Jeremy Bits, who spoke on behalf of the American
Academy of Hospitality Sciences, said the award set those destinations apart,
for their overall excellence and outstanding commitment to hospitality.
“Places like the world famous Ritz in Paris, the Peninsular in Hong Kong, the
Oriental in Bangkok, the Mars logo in Club in Palm Beach Florida, Seaborne
Cruise Lines, all of these hospitality and tourist destination have been
recognized with the American Academy’s International Five Star Diamond Award.
And tonight we honour the island of St .Lucia for excellence in tourism, the
first island in the Caribbean to hold that type of honour, and American
Airlines, as well for their new air service to the island of Saint Lucia”, Mr.
Bits informed.
Mr. Joseph Cinque, President of the American Academy presented the Five Star
Diamond Award to Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony on the weekend, during a
special function at the Royal St. Lucian Hotel. Dr. Anthony noted that St.Lucia
was well aware of the fierce global rivalry that went on in the international
tourism business, and as a result the industry and its workforce, refused to
bask in complacency.
“We know that the global competition in tourism is getting stronger everyday,
and some might say tougher and tougher. The pressure to create new jobs and the
pressure to grow the industry must be balanced with the value, quality and
sustainability. Receiving this award tonight encourages me to believe that we
are on the right path, this is not to say that we have completed our journey,
but that we have reached an important milestone”, the Prime Minister said.
Dr. Anthony surmised that with the recent designation of the Pitons as a World
Heritage Site, the island’s hosting of World Cup matches in 2007 and now the
Islands latest award, along with the expectation that the island’s hotel
occupancy will be increased by 750 rooms within the next six months, 2004 has
been a good year for tourism in Saint Lucia.
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