dos. Long-haul Caribbean specialists say the island is performing well and that hotels are full due to a combination of good prices and excellent air access.
“St Lucia is going to be one of our big winners this year and next as it has matched its supply to demand the best of all our Caribbean destinations,” said Tradewinds senior contracts manager Gordon Torrance.
“Hotel package prices have remained excellent value despite a small increase in local taxes. All the hoteliers have been sensible.”
Sunworld claims to have almost filled its St Lucia capacity in its first summer of operation on the island.
“St Lucia is performing above average in comparison with the rest of our Tropical Shores programme,” said Sunworld long-haul product manager Andrew Bevan.
UK visitor figures were up 25% to the end of March this year, although Cardoza-Wiese said they would most likely level out to finish the year 5%-10% up on 1998. “Summer is very different to the early part of the year as it is such a price-led market and we are too small to discount in the way some other islands do. Instead we are trying to promote our strengths as a family destination,” she said (see story opposite).
The tourist board is also trying to highlight niche products such as diving and watersports in its promotional literature, PR activities and agent and tour operator training.
St Lucia is surrounded by reefs and there are a number of independent dive centres, some of which are based at hotels.
The Jalousie Hilton boasts its own PADI Dive Centre offering 14 different dives in and around the designated marine reserve of Jalousie Bay.
The hotel offers a dive package specially created for women. ‘Diving Divas’ includes six dives, all equipment hire and a massage at the hotel’s newly opened Spa on the Beach.
VIRGIN Atlantic’s service from Gatwick to St Lucia has helped boost UKvisitor figures. Air access to the destination was increased last September when the carrier introduced direct Boeing 747 flights on Sundays.
“The Virgin fight has had a very positive impact in creating a much needed increase in airlift to St Lucia. It has resulted in the emergence of a new breed of independent traveller who will fly Virgin seat-only and arrange their accommodation once they have reached the island,” said UK representative of the St Lucia Tourist Board, Clemencia Cardoza-Wiese.
Direct flights are also operated by Caledonian and BWIA, while British Airways flies twice weekly via Antigua or Barbados. Long-haul Caribbean specialists say the island is performing well and that hotels are full due to a combination of good prices and excellent air access.
“St Lucia is going to be one of our big winners this year and next as it has matched its supply to demand the best of all our Caribbean destinations,” said Tradewinds senior contracts manager Gordon Torrance.
“Hotel package prices have remained excellent value despite a small increase in local taxes. All the hoteliers have been sensible.”
Sunworld claims to have almost filled its St Lucia capacity in its first summer of operation on the island.
“St Lucia is performing above average in comparison with the rest of our Tropical Shores programme,” said Sunworld long-haul product manager Andrew Bevan.
UK visitor figures were up 25% to the end of March this year, although Cardoza-Wiese said they would most likely level out to finish the year 5%-10% up on 1998. “Summer is very different to the early part of the year as it is such a price-led market and we are too small to discount in the way some other islands do. Instead we are trying to promote our strengths as a family destination,” she said (see story opposite).
The tourist board is also trying to highlight niche products such as diving and watersports in its promotional literature, PR activities and agent and tour operator training.
St Lucia is surrounded by reefs and there are a number of independent dive centres, some of which are based at hotels.
The Jalousie Hilton boasts its own PADI Dive Centre offering 14 different dives in and around the designated marine reserve of Jalousie Bay.
The hotel offers a dive package specially created for women. ‘Diving Divas’ includes six dives, all equipment hire and a massage at the hotel’s newly opened Spa on the Beach.