Former Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee has expressed general disappointment in Saint Lucia’s tourism marketing, expressing to reporters that he was concerned about a lack of visibility.
“The government has shouted about records. I am waiting to see the tourism report. I haven’t seen one for the year but usually they come out on a monthly basis,” the former Anse La Raye-Canaries MP stated.
But he indicated that it would be interesting because the destination has lost significant airlift in the middle of the winter season.
“The American Airlines flight from Chicago is no longer in the system. It was there last year. The American Airlines flight from JFK, which came back, has reduced capacity,” Fedee observed.
“Jetblue out of New Jersey no longer in the system in the middle of winter. The second Miami flight which we had, we used to have a flight leaving at 8:30 and one at 10:30 in the morning gone. So it’s affecting the connectivity when you lose air seats at such a level – it is affecting the capacity of the Island to come out of this difficult time,” he told reporters.
Fedee said he believed the economy is still recovering from COVID.
And in the recovery, he explained that the productive sectors must receive the best chance of success.
In this regard, the former Minister noted that sectors like tourism and agriculture depend on each other.
Fedee asserted that if tourism does poorly, so would certain areas of the manufacturing industry and agriculture.
“I believe that we have underperformed in the recovery of tourism. A lot of gains that this government is seeing – they’ve done nothing new. Jazz cannot move the needle. How are we going to get the Caribbean people to come here with LIAT and all of its problems? We’re talking about one week – a one-week window. But we have 52 weeks, 365 days in the year for us to fill up the hotel rooms,” the former MP said.
“We have got to move with a lot more haste,” Fedee declared.
Headline photo: Stock image.
Fedee , you are trying to lobby for your boss. Anyway as a rejected politician we don’t want you in Anse La Raye any more. Can you tell us about the number of passports sold during the reign of the UWP?
Cocolowrum and Chastanet both have masters degree in tourism from the university of the West indies, so they are tourism guru’s
Sir with all due respect – I seriously believe that your focus should be on the current crime situation in St. Lucia regardless of political affiliation. In the final analysis; crime affects all of you St. Lucians RED and YELLOW respectfully. I just read that someone got caught in cross-fire at Marchand — don’t you all get it.
You may not understand the logistics – however if this crime situation is not addressed SWIFTLY – forget about the other aspects as all industries are inter-related, not withstanding TOURISM – your own quote is pasted below. With all due respect social media is alive and well and the whole world is watching St. Lucia. Amen
“I believe that we have underperformed in the recovery of tourism. A lot of gains that this government is seeing – they’ve done nothing new. Jazz cannot move the needle. How are we going to get the Caribbean people to come here with LIAT and all of its problems? We’re talking about one week – a one-week window. But we have 52 weeks, 365 days in the year for us to fill up the hotel rooms,” the former MP said.
“We have got to move with a lot more haste,” Fedee declared.
Enough with the BIG EGO . The MOVE should be to address the crime situation – ??????
Hear him…. questions did Summer Solace moved the needle your defunctness ?? Did the Rum and wine festival moved the needle?? Boxing in the Caribbean ?? Your one horse race ?? Carnival?? What movvvved the needle for you your defunctness?? The problem St Lucia with it’s product it’s too expensive to come here and enjoy yourself. We don’t have a lot of all inclusives and attractions like the our competitors do and that’s our biggest draw back. Not everyone has deep pockets to go and perch on top of the hill especially if you are a family of four or more so stop the crap. We starting connectivity with the Emirates, so found this to be deathtrumental and almost suffer an heart attack.
Fedee, for some reason I feel your pain .
Do we really understand the word tourism ?
You have one of the most difficult classroom on island . Hold tight bro .
@john cepal one thing you on fedee back eh, i there to hear about you for that new representative you have to see what you will say about him as well LOL