The Tourism Minister has highlighted the responsibility of vendors in ensuring the purchase of their items by visitors. While emphasizing the Ministry's commitment to providing training and sourcing materials for vendors, he clarified that the Ministry cannot compel visitors to buy vendors' products. The statement underscores the importance of empowering vendors to optimise their opportunities in the tourism sector.

“We make sure we go out, we market Saint Lucia so the visitors can come to the island. We provide you with the facility, we help you source items. The final step has to be yours. We cannot force visitors to buy from you,” the Minister said.

Acknowledging that the job is difficult, Hilaire says vendors may need to strategize their sales pitch to visitors. “We can understand you saying it’s a challenge, but maybe it’s a time for you to rethink your sales strategy and your sales technique and we will help you. It has to be a clear understanding in your mind that you are a professional salesperson.”

The Minister adds that vendors should begin to see themselves as professionals who are selling a product. “Visitors who come to the Lay-By are under no obligation to buy your items - they’re not. So, we will train you, we will help you source your items, but you now need to take it across the line. We want the vendors to see themselves as professionals. It has to be a professional engagement.”

Hilaire issues these statements at the commencement of the island’s cruise season, which he says will bring huge arrivals into the country.