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Contact: Shannon Lebourne
Thursday, October 29, 2009 – Tourism officials are reporting that the 16th annual Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) conference and trade show which ended on Thursday, was a resounding success that spells the start of great things to come for Saint Lucia's economy.
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Senator Hon. Allan Chastanet is commending all the hoteliers, taxi drivers and other individuals who he says represented Saint Lucia with distinction when interacting with the many delegates who attended the conference.
Senator Chastanet says on the heels of the FCCA conference, Saint Lucia is expecting to welcome over seven hundred thousand cruise passengers for the first time.
“We have a lot to be proud of because we have an incredible country. It's time for us to start believing in ourselves because it is time for Saint Lucia to take its rightful place in the world. There is so much that we can deliver, but we just need to work together, believe in each other and understand that we can rise to any level in the world because we have a unique product.”
President of the FCCA Michele Paige is also commending the government and people of Saint Lucia for a job well done in executing the conference at the highest quality.
She says Saint Lucia has now positioned itself to gain tremendously from the cruise industry.
“We have many cruise ships that bring passengers to Saint Lucia. The good news is that from 2005 to 2008, Saint Lucia recorded a seventy five percent increase in cruise ship passengers, so the reason for hosting this conference in Saint Lucia is to improve on those numbers and increase the spending of the passengers and crew and to elaborate on the partnerships between the cruise lines and Saint Lucia. I think all those objectives have been achieved.”
Over nine hundred cruise delegates and Tourism officials attended the 16th annual Florida Caribbean Cruise Association conference and trade show which was held at the Almond Smugglers Cove.
On Friday, several of the delegates will accompany the cabinet of Ministers on a tour of Soufriere to discuss various development opportunities.
This will be followed by an investment meeting with the Prime Minister and Senior Finance Ministers this evening. |
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