The CTA is built on advancing 3 pillars of Saint Lucia’s tourism product: Accommodation, Cuisine, and Adventure.
Rodinald Soomer, President of the CARICOM Development Fund, affirmed the importance of the CTA. Soomer says similar initiatives should be executed in the region.
“We also would like to develop this programme as a model programme to be replicated across the region because there's so much going for it in terms of the way in which it integrates so many important elements of product and service development of tourism; the way in which it focuses on bringing the first-round benefits of tourism to communities so that the multiplier effects begin at the community level and don't trickle down to the communities,” Soomer explained.
CTA Beneficiaries and business owners also praised the training and assistance given to them by the Agency. They encouraged other entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the benefits.
“This process has been one of the best in my life, to be quite honest. It's taught me growth, it's taught me patience, it taught me a lot. And to see that the opportunity is there, it is there for all of us young people in Saint Lucia, when you want to go in a different sector,” said Jamal Cyril, Owner of ATV Experience, a touring business for both locals and tourists.
Pearl Alcindor, another beneficiary and owner of Bon Vivant, says the Agency has developed her ability as a female entrepreneur.
“The CTA is not just an innovative project, it is transformative. And I am witnessing that transformation, where I am now transforming from the journey from being an economist, a public servant, into being an entrepreneur. And as a female entrepreneur, I feel empowered that I can leverage the resources that are available through the CTA and the partnership to maximize my economic potential,” she explained.
In this round of funding the CARICOM Development Fund has allocated a total of USD 2,343,907.60 to support various community-driven tourism projects in Saint Lucia. This is in addition to US$4,685,663.00 of Grant and Concessionary Loan financing provided in 2020.