Advance bookings for local hoteliers favourable
|
|
|
Contact: Shannon Lebourne
Tuesday 23 November 2010 – Continued growth in the tourism sector in 2011 is on an upward curve; that is the optimistic outlook shared by hoteliers and resort owners.
Despite recent challenges posed by the passage of Hurricane Tomas, travellers continue to express confidence in Saint Lucia as a world class tourism destination.
The Sandals chain which operates three hotels on the island has announced a 10% increase in forward bookings compared to this time last year.
Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, Gordon Butch Stewart, says based on the advance booking figures the Saint Lucia properties expect to have a terrific winter season as travellers look for vacation experiences that exceed their expectations.
Speaking in a recent interview with the GIS, tourism minister, Honourable Allen Chastanet, indicated that the country’s tourism product is poised to continue the positive growth which it recorded in 2010.
“We are not expecting to see double digit growth next year but we are expecting to maintain the growth that we have been able to achieve this year, and we think we are already putting the Industry in a position to see another huge increase in growth in 2012. We are expecting the Jalousie property to open up as the new Tides, there is also the expectation that Sandals will be increasing their number of rooms and we are also very hopeful that we will see some movement on Le Paradis and all these developments we expect to come into fruition in 2012.”
Just recently Saint Lucia won, for the fifth consecutive year, the award for “World’s Best Honeymoon Destination.”
The award was accepted by Saint Lucia`s Director of Tourism, Louis Lewis at the 17th World Travel Awards held in London.
The Saint Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB) says the growing accolades reflect Saint Lucia`s commitment to provide visitors with an excellent product with the highest standards of service and hospitality.
|
|
© 2010 Government Information Service. All rights reserved. Read our privacy guidelines. |
