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Contact:
Rose Marie Harris
Monday, September 27, 2004 – September 27th, 2004, observed as World
Tourism Day brings closer to home the significance of the intricate linkage
between sports and tourism. Addressing the nation, Minister for Tourism,
Honourable Philip J. Pierre explained that sport and tourism were two living
forces of mutual understanding, culture and the development of society.
“This theme is appropriate and timely”, Minister Pierre said, adding, “those who
doubted our capacity to retain our winning ways in cricket must think again
after the thrilling victory of the West Indies at the ICC Finals, with our own
St. Lucian son, Darren Sammy in the team.”
In their joint statement for World Tourism Day, the WTO and IOC describe sport
and tourism as powerful forces for development, stimulating investment in
infrastructural projects like airports, roads, stadiums, sporting complexes,
hotels and restaurants.
“In 2007, St. Lucia will host one of sports biggest events. This event will
challenge our capabilities – though essentially in tourism, but more generally
in service and quality, and by extension in competitiveness”, Minister Pierre
said. He added that “Cricket World Cup in 2007 is an opportunity for us as a
people, a destination and a country competing on the world stage to become world
class, whether we are on the field playing, in a hotel, in a restaurant or at
the market selling our craft.”
Mr. Pierre explained that government would create the necessary infrastructure
and enabling environment to allow tourism planners to yield maximum benefit from
the opportunities created by the presence of thousands of visitors visiting our
island before, during and after World Cup 2007.
On Tuesday, September 28, 2004, Minister Pierre introduced to the Saint Lucia
Parliament what he termed the “Sunset Legislation” that would make generous
concessions and incentives available for present and potential investors in our
accommodation sector. He said, “These incentives will cater for hotels of not
less than six rooms, luxury villas or apartments, condominiums and hotels. The
only obligation is that the accommodation must be ready and available to host
visitors for World Cup 2007. Later, other incentives will be announced for other
areas of activity for World Cup 2007.”
The Tourism minister urged Saint Lucians to ponder on the two living forces,
Sport and Tourism, as vehicles for mutual understanding, culture and the
development of St. Lucian society today and beyond 2007.
“Let us individually embrace the philosophy of pride in self, in service and in
standards. Let us co-operate as a people and show the world the rich cultural
offering of our country. There is need to use the opportunity to develop and
share the art, handicraft, music, poetry and performing arts with the thousands
of visitors in the region for the weeks of the competition. There are no
boundaries to any realistic expectations if we plan, unite, think and work
together for ourselves and our country,” Minister Pierre said.
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