Saint Lucia setting new tourism records in 2018

Saint Lucia’s tourism sector is enjoying robust growth. First Quarter figures show the island continuing a strong growth trend, building on a record-setting year of 2017.

Stay over arrivals increased by 9.5% in the first quarter of 2018, compared to the same period last year, with March 2018 registering a 17.8% increase over March 2017.

Year-to-date, Saint Lucia has registered 355,821 cruise passenger arrivals, an increase of 13.5% over the same period last year.

The berth extension at Pointe Seraphine is credited, in part, for the significant increases in cruise passenger arrivals, as the island’s capacity to accommodate larger vessels has expanded.

The mega vessel MS Eurodam 2008 and the Freedom Class vessel Anthem of the Seas made their first port calls at Castries in January 2018 and, on May 16, 2018, Saint Lucia welcomed another Freedom Class Vessel from Royal Caribbean – the Freedom of the Seas – which has a capacity of 6000 and follows a 21-day port call schedule.

The Island has also experienced a resurgence in the yachting sector with a 25% increase in yacht arrivals across all ports of entry, namely IGY Rodney Bay, Marigot Bay, and Soufriere.

“We have run an aggressive and focused marketing campaign over 2017 and into 2018: working to establish our new branding, running targeted media buys and social media campaigns to increase awareness and we are starting to see the benefits of this marketing push. We believe that this year we will see even greater growth as we continue to refine our marketing,” stated Saint Lucia Tourism Authority Executive Chairperson Agnes Francis.

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14 Comments

  1. Delbert Harry
    May 25, 2018

    Si sèl bagay ou pé fè sé kwititjé “Ferme ta guelle” épi pé bouch’w. Bondyé gadé yon bann kouyan isi ka jis kwititjé men yo konfòtab ola yo yé ka lapidé(voyé pyè asi) Dominiqe.

  2. Real truth
    May 24, 2018

    OK folks. Here is our real tourism problem… We don’t have pristine white sand beaches…..like other Caribbean destinations.
    I propose that we build a man made pristine white sand beach along our coast, with the appropriate storm surge protection, complete with exotic villas, and our native parrots housed securely on premise. And finally, provide out of this world service, with our finest young people……. Am I I dreaming!……..

  3. Real truth
    May 24, 2018

    Ok folks. Dominicas ‘ number one disadvantage in the Caribbean tourism market is that it has no white sand beaches of merit,…… I propose that we build a unique nature resort with a man made white sand beach borderlining a part of our coast with an appropriate storm surge system……. This way we can publish true pictures of a “beach resort” with a pristine white sand beach and exotic villas etc…. Complete with our native parrots securely on premise……. Topped off with out of this world service…… Man, am I dreaming…….

  4. LangSal
    May 24, 2018

    This Is What Happens When A Government Invests MAJORITY Of Monies Given 2 Them 2 Run A Country Instead Of BORBALLLLLLLLLLL Like The DLP Does

  5. St. Joe
    May 23, 2018

    It is all about who the men and woman who are running St. Lucia compared to the islands that have had men and women running them for the same period of time or even three times as much and yet their country is no where close .
    Don’t blame it on the hurricane .

  6. Zor Paway?
    May 23, 2018

    I am so ashamed. We were once the eye of the Lesser Antilles. Now we’re the eyesore. Going down down down with each passing day. Rum, Sewo, and nothing else.

  7. Possie vibes
    May 23, 2018

    Over 18 years in power millions of dollars went through this government hand and so little progress and development. The two towns not much different from each other. Hon Rosie and Mike rise from the dead and see for yourselves.

  8. Convince me
    May 23, 2018

    Smh. Dominica is so far behind. Its only when one travels to neighbouring islands you see the vst differnce in progress. Smh.

  9. Roseau River
    May 23, 2018

    Go for St Lucia. What are the tourism goals for Dominica once she has gotten back on her feet.

  10. May 23, 2018

    Hey Punjab PhD did you advise the Saint Lucia government on how to increase their tourism to new record heights in 2018? Your dumb supporters think that you are the one advising all the other PM’s in the Caribbean as how to grow their economies etc. I have news for then the only advise you have to offer is how to grow your pocket and that of your cronies. Guess what they ain’t buying dat! it’s country first for the other leaders.

  11. May 23, 2018

    Dominicans, don’t you feel a shame when it’s not Dominica??? :-D

  12. Floridan Diaspora
    May 23, 2018

    Likewise Dominica is setting its own world class records in the tourism industry. Last in everything, low in tourist numbers, most dirty and smelling city that’s open for business. We are not a real country. Show skeritt how it’s done st. Lucia

    • LangSal
      May 24, 2018

      Wen Skero & His Merry men ONLY Seem 2 Have BORBALL On Their Minds We Cannot Expect 2 B Anything Else But LAST CARCAR Rat In EVERYTHING As Usual

  13. Iamanidiot
    May 23, 2018

    A few of us need to take note instead of just being of Facebook posting nonsense. Who the cap fit

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