Saint Lucia has positioned itself as a Caribbean leader in sustainable tourism, drawing significant attention at the recent Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua and Barbuda.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Guibion Ferdinand, declared the island “well ahead of our regional counterparts” in eco-friendly and community-based tourism, pointing to the recently passed Tourism Development Act (TDA) as a key point of difference.
During a post-Cabinet press briefing, Ferdinand said other countries were keen to understand Saint Lucia’s approach, particularly how the TDA incentivises responsible investment.
“They did have a lot of questions for me on that,” he said.
The legislation establishes frameworks for sustainable development and community engagement.
While Saint Lucia’s policies earned praise, Ferdinand also highlighted persistent challenges in regional connectivity, calling inter-island travel “frustrating” for patrons.
He noted that discussions at the event explored workarounds, including expanded charter flights, to mitigate the high costs and logistical hurdles that hinder multi-destination travel.
Beyond policy matters, Saint Lucia’s delegation, comprising tourism officials and local businesses, reported robust interest from international markets, including Canada, where hemispheric travel tensions have created new opportunities.
Ferdinand described the response to the island’s offerings as “phenomenal”, with attendees particularly engaged by Saint Lucia’s blend of luxury, adventure and sustainability.
The event, hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), reinforced Saint Lucia’s growing influence in shaping the region’s tourism future, according to the official.
“We starred in this event, not just because of the presentations, but because of how the various countries in the region related to the way we sell and market our tourism products,” he said.
