CARICOM to provide assistance of $6.32M to boost Saint Lucia’s community tourism

Saint Lucia: Prime Minister Philip J Pierre has finalized a funding agreement with the CARICOM Development Fund - CDF to support several community-based tourism projects in Castries, Micoud and Dennery. The signing ceremony was held on March 6, 2024.

According to the information, the CDF will allocate around $6.32 million to the Government of Saint Lucia to invest in indigenous community tourism businesses while developing the Unique Selling Propositions of the island.

Following the agreement, PM Pierre said that investing in community-based tourism projects will promote a rich cultural heritage while enhancing the visitor experience and will also create economic opportunities for locals.

The country is making major strides in the development of community tourism across the island.

The Government announced that this initiative is designed to provide opportunities to local entrepreneurs seeking to establish sustainable businesses within the tourism industry.

Some of the major benefits of community tourism will include empowering the local communities through job creation. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Donalyn Vittet said, “Our main aim is really to see the improvement in the quality of life of a lot of persons here in Saint Lucia.”

She added that although the benefits of community tourism are far reaching, the impact of it really takes time. “The investments we are making today will definitely take at least a year or two to start causing the significant changes that are likely to materialize.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, Wayne Girard, emphasized the commitment of the Government and CDF to community tourism throughout Saint Lucia.

He outlined that apart from the individual MSMEs who will invest through the CTA, the Government must ensure that it provides some other persons with access and resources.

“We must make investments as well,” he said while adding that these investments will create opportunities for livelihoods for craft vendors, cooks, taxi drivers, tour guides and several others.

“Under this partnership, the CDF is providing the loan of USD $2,343,907 and not to be left behind and $0.60, and the Government of Saint Lucia is co-financing $385,400.20 with the support of the Government of Saint Lucia and the Caricom Development Fund,” added Minister Girard.

Saint Lucian entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to establish businesses that contribute to economic growth and enhance the tourism sector.