One plan is the hospitality ambassador programme, an updated model of the prior tourism hostess programme. This initiative will oversee the training of young people who will engage with tourists in Castries, Soufriere and the northern parts of Saint Lucia.

“We’ve started training for our hospitality ambassadors and it’s a revision of the old hostesses programme that we used to have. In Soufriere, Castries and the northern parts of the island we’ll actually train young people who will be out there as hospitality ambassadors. They will be available to speak to visitors, and give them information on different aspects of life in Saint Lucia,” Hilaire explained. The Tourism Minister says the tourism industry will focus more on youth and sustainable development.

The theme for this year’s World Tourism Day was “Tourism and Green Investments”, where countries partnered with their respective sustainable development agencies to determine how best to preserve the environment and keep tourism alive. In Saint Lucia, a joint panel from the Ministries of Agriculture, Sustainable Development, Commerce and Tourism met to discuss a way forward for the industry.

 Dr. Hilaire also commented on the impact international conflicts could have on the island’s tourism product, namely the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict. “We’ve not seen any signs of a negative impact, it does not mean one cannot happen. Of course, there will be broader repercussions for the world economy But, directly, we have not seen any impact as yet,” Hilaire said.

Hilaire clarified that the Ministry’s plans for 2024 remain the same. With increased flights to Saint Lucia for the winter season, he says Saint Lucia is expected to have a very successful season.