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Contact:
Shannon Lebourne
Wednesday 17
November 2010
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Saint
Lucia’s quick resumption of international flights has been praised by Chief
Executive Officer of Virgin Atlantic Airways, Steve Ridgway. Ridgway expressed
full confidence in Saint Lucia's tourism product in the aftermath of Hurricane
Tomas.
Virgin’s CEO
says Saint Lucia has rebounded well after the hurricane and his company is
pleased to return to the country with a full load of excited passengers as at
November 14.
Ridgway arrived here on board Virgin Atlantic's second flight into Saint Lucia
and met with Prime Minister Honourable Stephenson King along with other key
tourism industry stakeholders.
Speaking at a
press briefing he remarked: "I spoke with lots of passengers and they were all
eagerly looking forward to their holiday; they are not daunted at all by what
they have been hearing or reading.”
Ridgway said he is pleased with efforts to restore the island's road network
and water production and gleaned from his talks with Prime Minister King there
was a very clear intent on the part of government to convey that the country is
open for business.
Virgin Atlantic Airways, which has been serving Saint Lucia for the past 12
years, has assisted the Rotary Club of Saint Lucia by transporting 15 aqua
boxes, 80 shelter boxes, and more than 3,000 litres of bottled water to the
country. Virgin's ground staff also assisted in the distribution of the water.
Saint Lucia's Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Senator Allen Chastanet,
thanked Virgin Atlantic for both its generosity and commitment to the
destination.
Virgin Atlantic Airways currently operates three weekly flights between Saint
Lucia's Hewanorra International Airport and London's Gatwick Airport.
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