Hotel job losses ‘at odds with claims by St Lucia government'

Job losses at hotels in St Lucia have been labelled as surprising by one of the countries MP.

Speaking to WIC News on condition of anonymity, the member of parliament said that workers being made unemployed doesn’t fit with the government’s claims of a big jump in tourist arrivals.

The comments come after news broke at the end of June that the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort in Labrelotte Bay, Gros Islet, was laying off 50 members of staff.

The story first appeared on St Lucia News Online, who reported that the decision was made due to “consistent low occupancy rates and a ‘downturn’ in the local tourism market.”

The website quoted sources who said both managerial and junior staff were affected.

Nobody from the hotel has been available for comment at this time.

More than one hotel affected

WIC News understands that there were close to 500 employees at the all-inclusive resort prior to the job losses.

St Lucia News Online reports that if the situation fails to improve around half of staff could be let go.

“What I find interesting is how is it that the government is claiming that visitor arrival increased by 33% yet a resort is sending employees home because of low occupancy,” an MP said.

“There is talk that Sandals is experiencing lower than normal occupancy.”

WIC News has reached out to Sandals for a response.

The MP is understood to be referring to claims made by the Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee last month, who claimed a 23.4% rise in tourism arrivals this year as well 33% growth in the cruise sector.

During a press conference to discuss the numbers, Fedee emphasised the straight of St Lucia’s hotel offerings, including the island’s “boutique” and “five-star” establishments.

The government have so far not responded to emails regarding this article.