1st Anniversary of the Tourism Enhancement Fund

On Friday, October 10th 2014 the SLHTA Tourism Enhancement Fund celebrated its first year Anniversary with a luncheon at the L’epicure Restaurant at the Royal St. Lucian by Rex Resort. The luncheon commenced at 12: 30 p.m. and several TEF Hotel participants as well as Ministers of Government joined the SLHTA to celebrate.  The Chief Executive Officer of Sandals Resorts International Mr. Adam Stewart was the guest speaker and the Honorable Phillip J. Pierre, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport delivered remarks from the Government of Saint Lucia. The event was hosted under the theme “Responsible Tourism – The Way Forward for the Caribbean”.

The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) was launched in October 2013 and has raised well over $1.7 million dollars. This was made possible by an outpouring of support by several hotels and visitors to the island. The level of enthusiasm which accompanies the first year of operation for the TEF signals the significant contribution which tourism can make to the social fabric of St. Lucia. Thus far, several projects have been undertaken by the fund, mainly a commitment to renovate the culinary lab at the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, two afterschool programs in impoverished communities, support for the sourcing of a new flight from Canada and the recent beautification of Rodney Bay and its surrounding areas.

The SLHTA Secretariat would like to express profound gratitude to all our member Hotels Properties who continue to participate and support this significant initiative.