TORONTO, Canada (October 27, 2007) – St. Lucia’s tourism developments, including new luxury accommodations, golfing facilities and attractions, were on show during this month’s Fall Destination Product Seminars, hosted by the St. Lucia Tourist Board’s Canadian office.

St. Lucia’s tourism partners travelled to several cities across Ontario to provide travel agents with updates on the destination’s new product offerings, including brand new inventory, expansions and upgrades. The seminars were especially timely for the Canadian travel trade with newly announced airlift additions making St. Lucia a more viable choice for the Canadian traveller.

 

This winter season Toronto will have increased capacity with new Friday flights on Air Canada's non-stop service; increased capacity on Transat Holidays and Sunquest winter charters; and newly introduced service to St. Lucia with Sunwing and WestJet.

In addition to these airlift developments, St. Lucia is also raising the bar with exciting new island festivals including next month's second annual Food and Rum Festival from November 1 to 4, and “Showtime in Paradise”, a live boxing experience on November 16.

According to Alison Theodore, Manager of the St. Lucia Tourist Board office in Canada, the island is in the midst of a sustainable tourism development surge. “Many of the island’s hotels and attractions are in the midst of significant renovations and expansions and close to 1,000 rooms are coming on stream in St Lucia in the next year,” she said.

Director of Tourism Maria Fowell added that the Canadian market has proved increasingly valuable to St. Lucia, and these travel agent seminars are important catalysts which serve to strengthen the awareness of the “simply beautiful” St. Lucian experience.

Participating hotels included Almond Resorts, Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain, Bay Gardens Resorts, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, Coco Resorts, Discovery at Marigot Bay, Ladera, Sandals Resorts, Sunswept Resorts – The BodyHoliday, Rendezvous, The Jalousie Plantation and Cotton Bay Village, and Elite Island Resorts – Village Inn and Spa and Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort & Spa.

Also on hand were representatives from Air Canada Vacations, Alio, Intair/Fun Sun, Holiday House, Sunquest, Sunwing Vacations, Transat Holidays, Total Vacations and WestJet. 

The Fall Destination Product Seminars took place in Toronto, North Toronto, Oakville, London and Ottawa.