Bumper Year for St. Lucian Tourism

February 1, 2001 - St. Lucia’s tourism industry had a bumper year in 2000, with arrivals rising 16.5 per cent over 1999 to set a new annual record of 726,454 visitors, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Menissa Rambally announced today.

Reviewing the performance of this vital sector at a news conference, the minister also reported a three per cent increase in direct tourism earnings which climbed to EC$747 million last year.

"The facts are that the tourism sector continues to outperform all others as the main impetus for economic growth and social development (in St. Lucia)," Rambally said.

According to official estimates, 50 per cent of the increase in tourism earnings went directly into the pockets of ordinary St. Lucians. This achievement reflects the success of various government initiatives, especially the two-year-old Heritage Tourism Programme which seeks to bring tourism business to rural communities.

As far as new employment is concerned, almost 1,000 persons found jobs in the hotel and restaurant sector, based on registrations with the National Insurance Scheme last year. An additional 1,600 persons found work in tourism-related construction, again based on registrations with NIS.

In both instances, the actual increase in employment is believed to be higher because not everyone registers with NIS on starting to work.

"The point must be made that not only is St. Lucia continuing to grow as a tourism destination, with overall arrivals and revenues increasing, but our people are now benefiting more substantially than ever before, in terms of jobs and earnings, from this vital industry," Rambally said.

With the decline of bananas resulting from changes in the European export market, tourism has taken over as the engine of economic growth in St. Lucia. The official forecast is for continued growth and development over the coming year as several existing properties, including Sandals hotel chain, undergo expansion and a number of new multi-million dollar ventures come on stream.

With Elegant Resorts and Crowne Plaza establishing a presence in St Lucia, Rambally expressed delight over the island’s continuing appeal to international brand name hotels. The two newcomers will bring the number of brand name hotels on the island to eight.

."This will be a great boost for marketing St. Lucia as a quality, world-rated destination," the minister said.

The cruise sub-sector also had a record year. Total passengers increased by 26.3 per cent to 443,551, the third consecutive year in which arrivals have gone up by double digit figures.

"This growth is significant as it far surpasses the Caribbean average of six per cent up to September 2000," Rambally said.

Prospects for continued cruise tourism growth are favourable as St. Lucia gets ready to welcome additional business, including two new mega-ships in the 2001-2002 season. Both ships – Radiance of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas – have a joint capacity of just under 6,000 passengers and 2,000 crew.

Cruise ship passengers, whose average per person daily spending is estimated at US$52, generate an estimated $10 million in local business annually through the purchase of tours and other services.

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