Increasing Airlift Getting Priority Attention

Contact: John Emmanuel

Wednesday, July 11, 2001 - Tourism Minister, Hon. Menissa Rambally, says Government is actively pursuing various initiatives aimed at increasing airlift into St. Lucia not only from the United Kingdom but also North America.

“Airlift is a critical component of the industry. Travel is a major part of the experience and getting to the destination is very important,” she said.

The minister spoke in the wake of the announcement by the British-owned Rex Hotels group that it was temporarily closing two of its St. Lucia properties -- the Royal St. Lucian and the Papillon. Whilst expressing surprise at the move, she pointed out it was not a situation unique to St Lucia as all Caribbean destinations were experiencing challenges at this time.

Tourism officials met yesterday to discuss the development which they blamed on  inadequate airlift out of  the United Kingdom, the main market for the two Rex hotels, following a reduction in charter flights, as well as stiff competition from the Spanish-speaking destinations of Cuba and the Dominican Republic that has forced some hotels to slash room rates.

The Ministry of Tourism is working with the Rex Hotels group to minimize the impact of the closure of the two properties.

Rambally reported that Government has achieved success in its efforts on the North American side by getting US Airways to agree to start a new scheduled service into St Lucia shortly. 

BWIA, Air Jamaica, and American Eagle, which connects to American Airlines in Puerto Rico, are the other carriers providing scheduled service to St Lucia out of North America.

As far as improving service out of the UK is concerned, Rambally said the Ministry of Tourism has been talking with Virgin Atlantic which has indicated a desire to increase scheduled flights into St. Lucia.

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