Tourist Board Hosts 40 UK Travel Agents

Contact: John Emmanuel  

Friday, September 21, 2001 – More than 40 travel agents, representing some of the largest companies in the United Kingdom, have just ended a familiarization visit to Saint Lucia. The visit was organized by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board .

Coming after the terrorist attacks on America which have dealt a severe blow to international travel, the timing of the trip was critical and forms part of the Board’s new focused public approach to the market, said Deputy Director Maria Fowell.

“Clearly the UK market is and will also be an important one for us and to have forty agents on island at this time and given what took place in the US on September 11, 2001, it is much appreciated.  We’re also here to ensure that these travel agents fully understand what the island has to offer so that when they get back home they can go ahead and sell our destination,” said Fowell.

The travel agents visited many properties on the island to get a first hand assessment of the vacation experiences they offer.

Government recently approved an additional $3.5 million to assist the Tourist Board in the marketing of St. Lucia. Fowell said the money will go towards targeted marketing strategies.

“What we need is presence and so we need to be out there with something unique and different, therefore we are producing new material and part of the money will go towards that. Part of the money will also be going towards revamping the website and general strategic things,” she said.

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