Saint Lucia attributes tourist rise to trade training
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Training travel agents and tour operators has been key to boosting visitor numbers to Saint Lucia, its tourism board has proclaimed.
Its roadshow last month, as well as the first Saint Lucia Showcase in the UK last September, has been a main driver towards its 30% year-on-year increase in UK tourists during the first quarter. As a result, its Saint Lucia Showcase will return this September with 1,670 agent expected to be trained up the end of the year.
“Working more closely with the trade has clearly paid dividends. Our trade partners are vital to the success of Saint Lucia,” said Jean –Marc Flambert, director of marketing UK & Europe at Saint Lucia Tourist Board. “We’ll continue to work hard to develop training initiatives, such as Saint Lucia Travel Challenge, to ensure agents glean the in-depth knowledge required to sell our naturally luxurious island and set it apart from other destinations”.
With the romance and luxury markets leading visitation to the destination, the island has also seen increased seat capacity and hotel investment including Harlequin’s blu St Lucia and new accommodation options at Freedom Bay and Sandals Grande St Lucian.
