Category: Press/Articles

Ten students receive Eileen Paul Scholarships from SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund

Press/Articles

(Castries, Saint Lucia – August 20th 2024)- Ten deserving students have received a valuable head start on their secondary school journey through the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) Tourism Enhancement Fund’s (TEF) latest scholarship awards.

Established on October 11th 2021, the Eileen Paul Scholarship Fund provides financial support to secondary school students, whose parents are employed in the tourism industry. The scholarship is named in honour of Eileen Paul, who was the heart and soul of the SLHTA, having served the organisation for over forty years.

Scholarship holders receive a grant of EC$2000.00 annually for 5 years, once they maintain a grade point average of 70%.

This year’s recipients were honoured during a ceremony on Friday, August 16th, 2024, at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian.

They are:

  • Sariah O’Neil: Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School
  • Donte Charles: Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School
  • Caleb James: Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School
  • Kyree Clovis: Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School
  • Silvie-Marie Salvador: St Joseph’s Convent
  • Viniah Louis: Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School
  • Arabella Charles: St Joseph’s Convent
  • Izzabella Frederick: Entrepot Secondary School
  • Javaun William: Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School and
  • Tina Brown: St Joseph’s Convent

Programme Manager of the SLHTA’s TEF Donette Ismael, is always excited for this time of year. Ismael said, “Eileen Paul always wanted to create a scholarship programme for line team members; heart of house team members, who would not otherwise be able to get these opportunities. For a child to be able to get one of our scholarships, they have to have a 70 average and above. And what we do Ms. Amos, our Project Officer because she loves working with people, always follows up with all of our recipients. We follow up with them, we meet with the parents, we meet with the students. And even when a child may not be able to maintain the average, we always inquire and work with the families to find out the reason why, and how as an SLHTA we may be able to assist and be able to retain the students on our programme.”

TEF Chairman Winston Anderson encouraged the students to do their best, pointing to the limitless opportunities in the growing hospitality sector. He stated, “Most importantly for us is focusing on our youth, and ensuring that we continue to support their development in a number of programmes that we do, whether it be the after-school, scholarships, mental well-being, and the list goes on. We do a lot of work in the communities to ensure that our youngsters are well taken care of. And as I said earlier on in my speech, you are in fact our future and every time that we do something in the communities, at the schools or with you, we walk away being more inspired, being more eager and being more excited to continue helping and supporting your future.”

Guardian Garieus Jn. Baptiste lauded SLHTA and TEF for the timely initiative. He said, “I would like to take this opportunity to say a special thank you to the SLHTA on behalf of the students, their parents and guardians, and by extension the communities that they are from. I am certain that this contribution will go a long way in assisting them. As he [TEF Chairman] said, the children are the future and today it has shown that the SLHTA has a special interest in our children. I’m hoping that this gesture continues!”

An emotional Sariah O’Neil said that she is excited to begin secondary school and promised to put her best foot forward. “I just wanted to say thank you to all those who sponsored the scholarship. Thank you for believing in our potential, and investing in all of our futures!”

To date over 40 students have received an Eileen Paul Scholarship, with a total of over EC $165,000 disbursed.

The SLHTA’s TEF thanks all contributing companies and visitors for investing in Saint Lucia’s youth!

RSLPF and SLHTA Collaborate to Bring Joy to Northern Division Community Members

Press/Articles

On December 22, 2023, the Northern Division Community Relations Branch of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) hosted its annual Christmas Voucher giveaway for eligible community members in the Northern Division Police Districts. The initiative was sponsored by the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA), a long-standing partner of the Gros Islet Police Station and by extension the RSLPF. Mr. David Moise, the Social Transformation Officer for the Gros Islet district who has consistently worked closely with the Gros Islet Police Station, ensuring a strong community partnership, also played a pivotal role in ensuring these gifts of vouchers reached the community members.

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SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund disburses $93K in Food Vouchers 

Press/Articles

(CASTRIES, Saint Lucia – Friday 21st December 2023)– The Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association’s (SLHTA) Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) kicked off its Annual Christmas Food Drive on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. For nearly a decade the TEF has embarked on this initiative to spread seasonal cheers and goodwill to families in need.

This year $93,000 in food vouchers will be provided to the less fortunate. The vouchers will be disbursed island-wide through partnerships with a number of community groups, including: the Lions Club of Gros Islet, Rotary Club of Saint Lucia, Dunnattar School, Alexander Family Foundation, Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (Gros Islet, Babonneau, Richfond, Dennery, Soufriere and Vieux Fort stations), Saint Lucia Dove Club, Millet Development Committee, Community Outreach Grooming Service Project, religious organisations and Musicians/Entertainers.

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Ten more students receive Eileen Paul Scholarships from SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund

Press/Articles

(CASTRIES, Saint Lucia- August 21st 2023)- Ten more secondary school newcomers have received Eileen Paul Scholarships from the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association’s (SLHTA) Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF).

The Eileen Paul Scholarship Fund was launched on October 11th 2021 to provide financial support to secondary school students, whose parents work in the hospitality and tourism industry. The scholarship is named in honor of Eileen Paul, who was the heart and soul of the SLHTA, having served the organisation for over forty years.

Scholarship holders receive a grant of EC$2000.00 annually for 5 years, once they maintain a grade point average of 70%. This year’s scholarship award ceremony, held on Thursday, August 17th 2023 at the Bay Gardens Hotel, Gros Islet, brought together government officials, parents and ebullient students.

TEF Chairman Winston Anderson underscored that education is a cornerstone of the TEF’s values. By nurturing intellectual curiosity, fostering innovation and providing access to quality education, the TEF is not only enhancing lives but also sowing seeds for a brighter Saint Lucia.

He said, “Year after year we proudly extend our support to ten hardworking students who embody the spirit of dedication and perseverance. This marks our ongoing commitment to education and the continued development of our youth. It also provides an opportunity to support our hospitality sector’s dedicated team members who stand on the frontline.

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Juniors Under Mentorship Programme (JUMP), the SLHTA’s TEF and FLOW Team up to Empower Students at Bishop Charles Gachet Primary School through Summer Virtual Reality Academic Programme

Press/Articles

(CASTRIES, Saint Lucia – Monday 14th August 2023)- Juniors Under Mentorship Programme (JUMP), the St Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) and Flow have joined forces to embark on a programme to help at-risk youth succeed in academics. The programme called “What’s in your Backpack?”, will engage thirty participants in a two-week training on scientifically-proven strategies on how to learn and succeed in academics through the use of Virtual Reality (VR) technology. The programme will run from August 14th -24th and will be held at the Learning hub on the John Compton Highway.

The Covid-19 pandemic saw learning losses in numerous educational institutions globally, amid an already plummeting literacy rate within the Caribbean and Latin American region. The programme aims to address the issue of learning loss and build a foundation at the Bishop Charles Gachet RC Primary School to allow students more autonomy in the learning process.

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SLHTA and SLUNCF form partnership to enhance marine health in Saint Lucia

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(CASTRIES, Saint Lucia – Thursday 8th June 2023) – Creation of a Marine Health Alliance under the umbrella of the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund will create ties with the tourism industry to support marine conservation, protect threatened biodiversity and promote healthy ocean ecosystems and reefs.

Building upon Earth Day 2023 and its theme “Invest In Our Planet” the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) and the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund (SLUNCF) have announced their new partnership agreement focused on investment in the island’s marine health.

Described as the ‘catalyst for change’ in Saint Lucia for ocean stewardship, the Marine Health Alliance will focus on a combination of top-down interventions and bottom-up project delivery. The launch of the Marine Health Alliance initiative was made possible with the support of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), the SLHTA’s philanthropic arm. Calls for proposals (CFPs) will be issued bi-annually to assist local communities, youth groups and public and private sector initiatives to bolster national marine conservation.

The SLHTA, TEF and SLUNCF will work closely together to engage with local stakeholders and visitors to learn about the Marine Health Alliance with the option of showing their support with a one-time voluntary contribution, annual membership or corporate sponsorship.

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SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund disburses over $250k!

Press/Articles

(CASTRIES, Saint Lucia – Tuesday, December 20th, 2022) – The spirit of giving permeated the air at the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) on Monday, December 19, 2022 as the Association, through the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) disbursed grants and donations totalling over EC $250,000 to various organisations. The initiatives, aimed at creating opportunities for the youth and lending a helping hand to the less fortunate, were unveiled during a press conference at the Alfiona Plaza, Rodney Heights, Gros Islet.

An EC $132,000 grant to Landmark Events will provide Saint Lucians with training and development opportunities in the Orange Economy. The company operates Warehouse 11 , a 4,900 square foot facility in Vide Boutielle, Castries which seeks to serve as a ‘community space for creative interaction between artists and audiences, performers and producers, and masters and emerging talent, to simultaneously improve access, affordability and opportunity for skills transfer and development.’ The TEF is committed to providing opportunities in non-traditional areas to harness the talents of our people, increase self worth and identity and generate employment.

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SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund donates $30,000 to St. Lucia Golf Association

Press/Articles


(CASTRIES, Saint Lucia – Thursday, September 22nd, 2022) – Getting more Saint Lucian youth involved in the sport of golf is at the heart of a collaboration between the SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and the St. Lucia Golf Association (SLGA).

On September 21, 2022 the TEF donated EC $30,000 to the SLGA towards the hosting of the Eastern Caribbean Golf Amateur Championships 2022. Approximately ninety players from ten countries will compete in the three-day sporting event, which is set to tee off on October 7, 2022 at the Sandals Golf and Country Club. Fourteen Saint Lucian golfers, inclusive of two juniors from the Grow Well Golf Programme, are slated to participate.

Secretary of the SLGA, Mr. Habib Chreiki, is eager to hit the ground running. “On behalf of SLGA, I would like to thank the Tourism Enhancement Fund for their kind support of the Eastern Caribbean Amateur Championships 2022— a tournament that will reignite golf tourism in Saint Lucia, and give exposure to our most talented competitors,” said Chreiki.  

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SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement launches Inaugural After School Programme in Soufriere!

Press/Articles

(CASTRIES, Saint Lucia – Tuesday, September 20th, 2022) – The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), the philanthropic arm of the Saint Lucia Hospitality & Tourism Association (SLHTA), on Monday, September 19, 2022 launched its inaugural After School Programme at the Soufriere Primary School. In attendance were parents, students, school officials and representatives from the SLHTA and TEF.

The After School Programme is aimed at helping students from the Soufriere Infant and Primary schools attain grade-level reading proficiency, enhance reading comprehension and ultimately improve performance at national examinations. The programme will provide over sixty (60) students with instruction in Reading Therapy, Emotional Learning, Agricultural Science, Physical Education, Music (Steel Pan) and Arts & Crafts.

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SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund relaunches On-The-Job Training Programme!

Press/Articles

(CASTRIES, Saint Lucia – Thursday, September 8th, 2022) – Twenty-six young individuals have begun training to access job opportunities in the tourism industry, through the Saint Lucia Hospitality & Tourism Association’s (SLHTA) Apprenticeship Programme. Funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), the Apprenticeship Programme was originally introduced in December 2014 to target unemployed youth between the ages of 18 to 35.

The programme was relaunched on Wednesday, September 7th, 2022 during an orientation exercise at the Alfiona Plaza in Rodney Heights, Gros Islet. Participants will receive Customer Service & Personal Development training, as well as on the job training at hotels and restaurants around the island. Personnel from the Human Development Network and HTEC Management Solutions were on hand to carry out an initial training session with the apprentices. Also in attendance were representatives from the SLHTA, TEF, and the Department of Social Transformation.  

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