Record-breaking year for tourism in St Lucia

The tourism industry in St Lucia is reporting a record-breaking 2017, with visitor arrivals reaching 1,105,541.

The island also recorded the highest growth among the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) member countries last year, registering an 11% increase.

Sustained growth has been see across the industry, with the cruise sector seeing a 14% increase – an additional 81,000 visitors – despite the closure of a berth at Pointe Seraphine.

Dominic Fedee, minister of tourism information and broadcasting, said: “The tourism industry continues to be an incredibly important and vital part of the St Lucian economy.

“We are happy with the levels of growth witnessed and as we continue our marketing efforts, we as well look to maximising the impact of tourism on our economy”.

The St Lucia Tourism Authority worked assiduously with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and trade partners to overcome the challenges faced by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which hit the region in September.

At the close of 2017, The Association of British Travel Agents in Travel Trends Report for 2018 – the most important document issued in the UK travel industry – selected St Lucia as one of the top 12 destinations for 2018.