Speaking at the recently concluded Cruise Connect forum, hosted by the Saint Lucia Cruise Port ahead of the upcoming cruise season, Dr. Matthew underscored that the discussion around homeporting has been ongoing for years, including initial proposals for a facility in Vieux Fort.

“Even if we were to start small, with one of the smallest vessels carrying 2,400 passengers, the logistics are enormous,” he explained. “To move that many passengers by air would require up to six wide-body aircraft like the 777. Yet today, Saint Lucia only accommodates two such flights, and those are already taken up by hotel demand.”

He pointed out that without significant increases in airlift capacity, hotels willing to participate in one-night stays, and infrastructure to support parking and charters, the homeporting model becomes difficult to sustain. “Everyone knows how challenging it is to increase airlift into Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean,” Dr. Matthew said.

While acknowledging the appeal of homeporting, he emphasized that GPH’s stance remains grounded in financial viability. “Our position has always been: if we can get alignment of the criteria, airlift, port requirements, and cruise line commitment, we will look at that port seriously. We always want to have first right of refusal to build it. But we will not enter a business transaction that loses money, and we would not want the Government or our partners to do so either.”

Matthew noted that competition in the region is intense, citing Puerto Rico’s hub potential and Antigua’s already established homeport operations. He stressed that Saint Lucia must carefully determine how many viable homeports the Eastern Caribbean market can sustain.

“Visionaries may want to see it, but there are market realities we must face,” he cautioned. “The cruise lines will only invest where the business model makes sense, and we must ensure Saint Lucia positions itself strategically.”