Official Minister's address for World Tourism Day 2021

The following is an excerpt from the Address by Saint Lucia Minister for Tourism, Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire, on the occasion of World Tourism Day, 2021:

""Tourism for Inclusive Growth". This theme captures the very essence of the mandate of the Ministry of Tourism; and the philosophy of my Government, as it emphasizes the urgent need to "putting people first". Pre-pandemic, there was no doubt that tourism was on a growth path, with 2019 being the record-breaking year for Saint Lucia, with over 1M visitors. Although noting the growth patterns over the past years, indigenous businesses continue their plea for equity in accessing tax relief and other forms of assistance to create a more attractive climate for local investment."