Saint Lucia’s tourism sector experienced a 14 per cent increase in arrivals in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, according to data released by the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA).
The island welcomed 435 959 stay-over visitors last year, up from 380 791 in 2023. The United States remained Saint Lucia’s largest source market, recording a 15 pre cent rise in arrivals. Other key markets, including Canada, the UK, France, the Caribbean, and Europe, also contributed to the growth.
The 2024 numbers reflect a three per cent increase from 2019.
Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire highlighted the significance of this achievement at a pre-Cabinet press briefing on Monday. He said surpassing pre-pandemic numbers is a significant milestone for the industry.
Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire.
He noted the increase was recorded even with a reduction in available accommodations due to resort closures, including Royal Saint Lucia and Starfish.
“What also makes it even more impressive is the fact that for 2024, we had over 500 rooms out of stock,” the minister said.
Minister Hilaire said expectations are that there will be a further increase next year: “We expect 2025, this year, to be even bigger than 2024, which shows that Saint Lucia is on an upward trajectory.”
Any third-party or user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries published on the St. Lucia Times website (https://stluciatimes.com) in no way convey the thoughts, sentiments or intents of St. Lucia Times, the author of any said article or post, the website, or the business. St. Lucia Times is not responsible or liable for, and does not endorse, any comments or replies posted by users and third parties, and especially the content therein and whether it is accurate.
St. Lucia Times reserves the right to remove, screen, edit, or reinstate content posted by third parties on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times (this includes the said user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries) at our sole discretion for any reason or no reason, and without notice to you, or any user. For example, we may remove a comment or reply if we believe it violates any part of the St. Lucia Criminal Code, particularly section 313 which pertains to the offence of Libel. Except as required by law, we have no obligation to retain or provide you with copies of any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times. All third-parties and users agree that this is a public forum, and we do not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website. Any posts made and information disclosed by you is at your own risk.
2 COMMENTS
The very same tourism that was never expected to rise afer Covid – 19
When will our hateful gargoyle politicians learn to speak in the interest of Saint Lucia and not for cheap convenient partisan stupidity. It was only ‘a mad man’ who expected tourism to bounce back post-covid ? Wonder if the minister is embarrassed with the increased arrivals now…and the expected further increase.
The very same tourism that was never expected to rise afer Covid – 19
When will our hateful gargoyle politicians learn to speak in the interest of Saint Lucia and not for cheap convenient partisan stupidity. It was only ‘a mad man’ who expected tourism to bounce back post-covid ? Wonder if the minister is embarrassed with the increased arrivals now…and the expected further increase.