Tourism Receives Major Support Package

Contact: John Emmanuel  

Thursday, November 08, 2001 – Saint Lucia’s vital tourism industry, dealt a severe blow by the September 11^th terrorist attacks on the United States, on Thursday received a major support package intended to provide much-needed relief, especially to the hotel sector. The industry, however, is asking for additional support mainly from Government.

Spelling out the details, president of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA), Berthia Parle, said Government, the utility companies, commercial banks and trade unions had all contributed to the package which, she explained, will complement measures being used by hoteliers to cushion the impact of  a sharp downturn in business following the September 11^th events.

The package includes support from the utility companies in the development of promotional material for regional and international use, provision of technical support services for website development, reviewing and rationalizing services to hotels without compromising service delivery, and a reduction in electricity rates from the start of the new year as a result of a government amendment of the 1994 Electricity Supply Act at Tuesday’s sitting of the House of Assembly. The rate reduction applies across the board to commercial and domestic consumers.

“We need to all rally together, plan and provide for the future survival and growth of tourism,” Parle said.

She added: “It is the business of every single one of us…. The utility companies and the banks that we met with understand this. The trade unions are demonstrating a better appreciation of this fact as well. And clearly, from our recent discussions, the government has shown a heightened sensitivity to the legitimate needs of the tourism industry and the thousands of employees and their families whose livelihoods depends on the survival of the industry.”

Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony, played a key role in moderating the various discussions which led to the putting together of the support package.

“We are hoping that there will be a silver lining in due course and there is reason for us to be optimistic,” Dr. Anthony said Thursday. “Firstly, there are indications that people are beginning to rediscover travel. It’s going to be difficult and painful particularly in respect of the US market. However, we must not flinch from providing continued marketing support to those areas. Secondly, I’m extremely optimistic by what’s happening certainly within the travel industry and the continuation of flights to Saint Lucia,” he added.

The reference was to an announcement that Saint Lucia could see the return of two airlines which previously expressed doubts about business here. Dr. Anthony said the announcement was clearly good news for the tourism industry and for Saint Lucia.

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