AGP Executive Report

Tourism Numbers: Saint Lucia logged its strongest April ever for stay-over arrivals, with 40,752 visitors—up 8.5% year-on-year—and 3.7% growth year to date, driven by gains from the US (+900), the Caribbean market (+39.6% / +1,954), and Canada (+45.9% / +1,205) as WestJet adds frequency and Air Canada boosts capacity in June. Climate Finance & Resilience: The island hosted a Climate Change Adaptation Investment Pitch and Matchmaking event to help fund its National Adaptation Plan, linking local sectors like tourism, infrastructure, education and spatial planning with international climate funds. Aviation Access: Air Caraïbes and LIAT launched an interline single-ticket option to connect Caribbean islands to Paris-Orly with through-checked baggage, making travel smoother for residents and visitors. Local Deals: Bay Gardens Resorts rolled out Staycation and Caribcation promotions, including “Stay at 1, Play at 5” perks and access to Splash Island Water Park. Community & Costs: Fuel relief is back in the spotlight as former tourism minister Dominic Fedee criticizes government fuel price hikes while officials defend subsidy spending. Culture & Events: Mercury Fest returns Aug 14–16 at Pigeon Point, aiming to draw international visitors with music, dance and Caribbean culture.

Tourism Numbers: Saint Lucia just posted its strongest April ever for stay-over arrivals: 40,752 visitors, up 8.5% year-on-year, with US (+900), Caribbean (+39.6%), and Canada (+45.9%) leading the gains as airlift and new capacity plans kick in. Climate Resilience Funding: The island is pushing financing for its National Adaptation Plan via an Adaptation Investment Pitch and Matchmaking event, linking local project ideas in tourism, infrastructure, education and spatial planning to international climate funds. Regional Travel Links: Air Caraïbes and LIAT launched an interline single-ticket option to connect Caribbean islands to Paris-Orly with through-checked baggage, making France access easier for travellers including from Saint Lucia. Local Deals: Bay Gardens Resorts rolled out Staycation and Caribcation promotions, including “Stay at 1, Play at 5” perks and Splash Island access. Festival Buzz: Mercury Fest returns August 14–16, aiming to draw visitors with beach-party energy and local culture at Pigeon Point. Cost-of-Living Politics: Former tourism minister Dominic Fedee renewed pressure over fuel price hikes, arguing consumers should get more relief.

Tourism Numbers: Saint Lucia logged its strongest April ever for stay-over arrivals, with 40,752 visitors—up 8.5% year-on-year—plus gains from the U.S., Caribbean, and Canada as airlift and marketing efforts keep paying off. Fuel Relief Fight: Dominic Fedee accuses the government of failing to deliver enough fuel relief, while officials defend new price hikes as necessary amid global volatility and subsidy spending. Aviation Connectivity: Air Caraïbes and LIAT launched an interline single-ticket option to connect Caribbean islands to Paris-Orly with through-checked baggage, making France travel easier for visitors and residents. Cruise Momentum: St. Lucia’s cruise season hit record highs again, with 673,700 cruise passengers in 2025-26—nearly back to pre-pandemic levels—boosting vendors and taxi drivers. Regional Tourism Push: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 brings ministers and industry leaders together to strengthen connectivity and market share, with Saint Lucia among expected participants. Local Deals: Bay Gardens Resorts rolled out Staycation and Caribcation promotions, including “Stay at 1, Play at 5” access across properties. Next Big Event: Mercury Fest returns Aug 14–16 after a six-year break, aiming to draw international visitors with music, dance, and coastal fun.

Caribbean Week in New York 2026: Caribbean tourism ministers and commissioners gathered in Manhattan under the theme “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences,” aiming to boost resilience, connectivity and a unified regional voice. Air Connectivity Boost: Air Caraïbes and LIAT launched an interline single-ticket deal to connect Caribbean islands to Paris-Orly with through-checked baggage, including links for Saint Lucia. St. Lucia Tourism Watch: Saint Lucia posted its strongest April ever for stayover arrivals, but rising gun-violence concerns are prompting fresh safety-image questions for visitors. Cruise Momentum: St. Lucia’s cruise season hit record highs, with 673,700 passengers in 2025-26—nearly back to pre-pandemic levels. Regional Aviation Shift: A new LIAT 2020–Air Caraïbes interline agreement signals broader Caribbean airline realignment as routes and hubs change. Local Deals & Stays: Bay Gardens rolled out Staycation and Caribcation promotions, including “Stay at 1, Play at 5” access to Splash Island. Festival Return: Mercury Fest is back for Aug 14–16 at Pigeon Point, with plans to draw international visitors. Luxury Leadership: The Landings Resort & Spa named Lindon Lovell as Managing Director. OECS Blue Economy Funding: OECS opened a second call for MSME matching grants (Window 2) for fisheries, coastal tourism and waste management.

Tourism recovery watch: Jamaica’s tourism is bouncing back after Hurricane Melissa, with hotel room capacity now back to over 80% of pre-hurricane levels, though some Montego Bay properties won’t reopen until later this year. Cruise updates: Norwegian Viva has cancelled San Juan-based sailings for 2028 due to port availability changes, with affected guests offered refunds or future cruise incentives. St. Lucia deals: Bay Gardens Resorts is rolling out Staycation and Caribcation promotions across its four properties, including “Stay at 1, Play at 5” perks like shuttles, non-motorised water sports and Splash Island access. St. Lucia tourism momentum: St. Lucia is seeing its strongest April ever for stayover visitors, and the 2025/26 cruise season is described as the best since the pandemic, with 673,700 cruise passengers. Safety & perception: Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says gun violence concerns are rising, but incidents aren’t hitting areas tourists typically visit. What’s next for visitors: Mercury Fest returns Aug 14–16 at Pigeon Point, aiming to draw international crowds with music, dance and Caribbean culture. Regional planning: OECS launched a second call for proposals under the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme for fisheries, coastal tourism and waste management.

Coastal Resilience & Sargassum: OECS member states met in Dominica for a SARSEA workshop to coordinate practical responses to rising sargassum impacts, with partners including AFD and Expertise France. Caribbean Tourism Push (NYC): Saint Lucia is among the islands represented as Caribbean Week in New York 2026 opens June 1, with CTO-led talks aimed at strengthening regional tourism resilience. Cruise Boom for St. Lucia: The 2025/26 cruise season hit 673,700 arrivals—strongest since the pandemic—driven by larger ships and bringing fresh demand for vendors and taxi operators. Local Tourism Growth: Mercury Fest returns Aug 14–16 at Pigeon Point, promising a major beach-and-boating weekend to boost visitor draw, including outreach to the French market. Aviation & Connectivity Watch: A new LIAT 2020–Air Caraïbes interline deal starts June 1, while regional route cuts and carrier changes continue to reshape travel planning across the Eastern Caribbean. Safety & Visitor Confidence: Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says gun violence concerns are being monitored, but incidents aren’t occurring in typical tourist areas. Resort Leadership: The Landings Resort & Spa appointed Lindon Lovell as Managing Director, signaling a push for higher-end positioning and luxury partnerships. OECS Blue Economy Funding: OECS launched Window 2 of the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme for fisheries, coastal tourism and waste management value-chain groups.

Culinary Tourism: Five top Caribbean female chefs wowed guests at Hodges Bay Resort & Spa’s NaCI restaurant during Antigua’s Culinary Month dinner, pairing multi-course dishes with English Harbour Rum cocktails. Caribbean Week in New York: Tourism ministers and commissioners from across the region are set to gather in Manhattan for Caribbean Week in New York 2026, with Saint Lucia among those represented. Regional Aviation: A new LIAT 2020–Air Caraïbes interline deal starts June 1 as Caribbean Airlines cuts routes and reduces frequency, reshaping how travelers connect across the Eastern Caribbean. St. Lucia Cruise Boom: The 2025/26 cruise season delivered 673,700 passengers—strongest since the pandemic—driven by larger ships and boosting vendors and taxi drivers. Local Tourism & Safety: Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says visitors are not being deterred by gun-violence concerns, while April stayover numbers hit a record high. Vendors Redevelopment: Dr Ernest Hilaire says displaced Castries Vendors Arcade traders deserve support, but compensation should be handled fairly based on who owes and what losses are. Next Big Festival: Mercury Fest returns Aug 14–16 at Pigeon Point, promising a major beach-and-boating weekend for visitors. Sports & Travel Friction: St Lucia Olympic Committee president Alfred Emmanuel blasts CARICOM over costly intra-regional travel that hampers athletes and competitions.

Regional Aviation Realignment: LIAT 2020 and Air Caraïbes have signed an interline deal for single-ticket travel with through-checked baggage, starting June 1—right as Caribbean Airlines exits key markets and cuts frequencies, signaling a rebuild around emerging hubs like Antigua, Barbados and Sint Maarten. Cruise Momentum in St. Lucia: The 2025/26 cruise season is St. Lucia’s strongest since the pandemic, with 673,700 cruise passengers and arrivals nearing pre-Covid highs, even with only a slight change in ship calls. Tourism Calendar Boost: Mercury Fest returns after a six-year break, running August 14–16 at Pigeon Point, with organizers pitching it as a major cultural and visitor draw. Local Tourism Policy Watch: Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says displaced Castries Vendors Arcade vendors should get support, but compensation must be fair and based on who owes and what losses are proven. Safety & Visitor Confidence: As stayover tourism hits record levels, gun violence concerns are rising; Hilaire says incidents aren’t affecting areas tourists typically visit. Sports & Travel Friction: St Lucia Olympic Committee president Alfred Emmanuel blasts CARICOM over costly intra-regional travel that hampers athletes and competitions. Business Leadership: The Landings Resort & Spa appoints Lindon Lovell as Managing Director, aiming to elevate luxury positioning.

Police & Justice: RSLPF addressed public questions after the May 20 killing of Joy St. Omer in Marigot, saying she died from haemorrhagic shock and that her husband, Primus Toussaint, has been charged with murder. Tourism Events: Mercury Fest 2026 returns August 14–16 at Pigeon Point, with organizers promising a “galore weekend” of music, dance and Caribbean culture aimed at drawing visitors. Cruise Boom: St. Lucia’s 2025–26 cruise season hit 673,700 passengers—its strongest since the pandemic—while ship calls stayed near last season, boosted by larger vessels. Safety & Tourism: Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says early reports of the current crime wave show most incidents outside visitor areas, and points to the return of the Rangers Unit. Local Business & Vendors: Hilaire says compensation for Castries Vendors Arcade displaced vendors should be fair and based on who owes and what losses are proven. Hospitality Leadership: The Landings Resort & Spa appointed Lindon Lovell as Managing Director, signaling a push for higher luxury positioning. Regional Travel Pressure: St. Lucia Olympic Committee chief Alfred Emmanuel blasted CARICOM for failing to make intra-Caribbean travel affordable for athletes. Aviation Connectivity: Air Canada launched free, streaming-quality Wi‑Fi for Aeroplan members on Caribbean routes, while Caribbean Airlines announced network reductions affecting St. Lucia and others. Next-Gen Tourism: OECS and CTO updates highlight youth and MSME opportunities, including the Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase finals in New York on June 4.

Cruise Boom: Saint Lucia logged its strongest cruise season since the pandemic, welcoming 673,700 cruise passengers in 2025/26—up 6.25% year-on-year and just 0.5% below the pre-COVID peak—while ship calls stayed almost flat (280 vs 278), driven by larger vessels. Tourism Safety Watch: Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says the current crime wave is not hitting visitor areas, and points to the return of the Rangers Unit as added protection while experts review what’s behind the rise. Vendor Support Update: Hilaire backs compensation for displaced Castries Vendors Arcade traders, but says payments shouldn’t be equal for everyone and must be based on who owes, who doesn’t, and what losses are proven. Luxury Hospitality Move: The Landings Resort & Spa appointed Lindon Lovell as Managing Director, signaling a push to lift service and commercial performance and align with top luxury travel networks. Regional Travel Pressure: Caribbean Airlines announced network cuts that will affect St Lucia and other islands, a reminder that intra-Caribbean connectivity remains fragile. Weekend Rugby: Saint Lucia’s senior men face Jamaica in a Tier 3 Test at Francis Baba Lastic Grounds on Saturday, with an Under-19 clash vs Martinique also on the card.

Cruise boom for St. Lucia: The 2025/26 cruise season is St. Lucia’s strongest since the pandemic, with 673,700 cruise passengers—up 6.25%—and just 0.5% shy of the 2018/19 peak, helped by larger ships even as ship calls edged down. Castries Vendors Arcade dispute: Tourism Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire backs compensation for displaced vendors from the Castries waterfront redevelopment, but says support must be fair and based on who owes rent and what losses are real. Air connectivity upgrade: Air Canada has launched free, streaming-quality Wi‑Fi for Aeroplan members on Caribbean and Mexican routes, gate-to-gate. Regional youth tourism push: CTO has named finalists for the 2026 Regional Nex‑Gen Tourism Showcase, with St. Lucia students advancing to live finals in New York on June 4. Safety talk amid crime concerns: Tourism Minister Hilaire says early reports suggest most crime is outside visitor hotspots, and points to the return of the Rangers Unit to help protect tourists. OECS Blue Economy funding: OECS opened the second call for Window 2 of the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme for fisheries, coastal tourism and waste management value-chain groups. New leadership at The Landings: Lindon Lovell appointed Managing Director at The Landings Resort & Spa, with a focus on service culture and luxury positioning.

Cruise Boom: St. Lucia logged its strongest cruise season in years (673,700 passengers in 2025/26), with arrivals nearly back to pre-COVID highs even as ship calls stayed flat—good news for vendors, taxi drivers and the wider tourism economy. Tourism Safety Watch: With gun violence concerns rising, Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says most incidents are outside typical tourist areas and highlights the return of the Rangers Unit as added protection. Luxury Hospitality Move: The Landings Resort & Spa appointed Lindon Lovell as Managing Director, signaling fresh push for service excellence and stronger global luxury partnerships. Next-Gen Tourism Spotlight: Students from St. Lucia (plus BVI and Turks & Caicos) advanced to the CTO’s 2026 Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase finals in New York on June 4. Regional Connectivity Pressure: St. Lucia Olympic Committee president Alfred Emmanuel sharply criticized CARICOM over expensive intra-Caribbean travel that keeps athletes and sporting events from moving easily. Blue Economy Funding: OECS launched the second call for proposals (Window 2) for MSME Matching Grants, targeting fisheries, coastal tourism and waste management in the Blue Economy. Air Travel Upgrade: Air Canada rolled out free, streaming-quality Wi‑Fi for Aeroplan members on Caribbean and Mexican routes.

Cruise Boom for St. Lucia: The 2025/26 cruise season is St. Lucia’s strongest since the pandemic, with 673,700 cruise passengers—up 6.25% year-on-year and just 0.5% below the 2018/19 peak—while ship calls edged up only slightly (280 vs 279), driven by larger vessels. Tourism Safety Watch: As stayover numbers climb, Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says gun-violence concerns are being monitored closely, with early reports suggesting incidents are mostly outside areas visitors typically frequent, and the Rangers Unit returning to boost protection. Air Connectivity Upgrade: Air Canada has launched free, streaming-quality Wi‑Fi on flights to and from Caribbean and Mexican destinations for Aeroplan members, aiming to improve the in-flight experience gate-to-gate. Local Hospitality Leadership: The Landings Resort & Spa appointed Lindon Lovell as Managing Director, bringing 17 years of luxury resort leadership and signaling new partnerships with Virtuoso and Forbes Travel Guide. OECS Funding Push: OECS launched the second call for Window 2 of the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme, offering USD 100,000–150,000 for value chain groups in fisheries, coastal tourism, and waste management across Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Regional Travel Friction: St. Lucia’s Olympic Committee president Alfred Emmanuel criticized CARICOM for failing to make intra-regional travel affordable—an issue he says is holding back athletes and sports development.

Luxury Hospitality: The Landings Resort & Spa has appointed Lindon Lovell as its new Managing Director, bringing 17 years of leadership across top Caribbean and international brands and signaling fresh luxury partnerships ahead. Tourism Growth vs. Safety Concerns: Saint Lucia logged its strongest April ever, with over 40,000 stayover visitors, but gun violence worries are now front and center as Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says incidents are mostly outside visitor areas. Crime Spotlight: Reggae star Taj Weekes described a frightening home invasion by masked gunmen in Mon Repos, adding to the week’s heightened public focus on security. Cruise Momentum: The 2025/26 cruise season is being hailed as the strongest since the pandemic, with 673,700 cruise arrivals and near pre-Covid levels. Regional Connectivity Pressure: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes and frequencies, a reminder that travel access across the Eastern Caribbean remains fragile. Public Health Watch: St. Lucia joined other territories in strengthening Ebola border screening and surveillance as CARPHA activates regional monitoring. Family Travel Deal: Kids Sea Camp is promoting Father’s Day bookings with perks for St. Lucia and other destinations. Food & Culture on Global TV: Chef Shorne Benjamin is set to feature on Hot Ones Caribbean with the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, boosting culinary tourism visibility.

Tourism Safety Update: Tourism Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire says early reports in Saint Lucia suggest most crime is happening outside tourist areas, and points to the return of the Rangers Unit to help protect visitors. Regional Air Travel Shock: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes and frequencies from June 1, including impacts for St Lucia, as it exits some corridors and reduces service to Martinique and Guadeloupe. CARICOM Sport Travel Crunch: SLOC president Alfred Emmanuel says CARICOM has failed regional athletes by not making intra-Caribbean travel affordable, calling for stronger political backing for sport. Trade & EU Link-Up: Saint Lucia’s Commerce Department is meeting with a French delegation to strengthen trade and investment ties with Martinique, including product testing, packaging, and compliance steps. Castries Vendors Redevelopment: Vendors at the Castries Vendors Arcade are pushing for clearer relocation and compensation as Global Ports Holding begins an EC$135m redevelopment. Hospitality Jobs: Lindon Lovell is appointed Managing Director at The Landings Resort and Spa, with a focus on service and luxury positioning. Kids Sea Camp Deal: Kids Sea Camp is offering Father’s Day gifts for bookings including St Lucia. Wellness Spotlight: Travel and Tour World ranks top wellness tourism destinations across the Americas and Caribbean for 2026.

Aviation Shake-Up: Caribbean Airlines is cutting key intra-Caribbean routes from June 1, including discontinuing Dominica–Suriname and St Kitts–Suriname, while reducing Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice-weekly service—St Lucia, Barbados and Antigua are affected too, with passengers being contacted and a codeshare plan in the works. Tourism Safety Talk: Tourism Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire says the current crime wave isn’t hitting tourist areas as much as people fear, pointing to the return of the Rangers Unit and calling for expert analysis. Saint Lucia Business Relief: Castries Vendors Arcade redevelopment is moving ahead, and vendors are pushing for fair relocation and compensation after demolition begins. Regional Health Watch: CARPHA has activated Ebola border monitoring as Antigua, Cayman Islands and St Lucia strengthen screening amid WHO’s emergency alert. Culture on the Move: Vincentian play “Number Seven” heads from St Vincent to an Off-Broadway run in New York in October. Hospitality Leadership: Lindon Lovell has been appointed Managing Director at The Landings Resort & Spa, Rodney Bay.