CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Sept 11, CMC – St. Lucia will host the inaugural Showcase International that Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire says represents a significant step in how the island positions and promotes itself on the global tourism stage.
“As we look to strengthen our traditional markets while opening new opportunities in emerging and high-potential markets such as Europe and Latin America, we are focused on building partnerships that generate greater economic value for St. Lucia and her people,” said Hilaire, who is also the Commerce, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Heritage Minister.
He said that the September 16-20 event being held under the them “Welcome to Our World…Welcome to Our Communities” is central to the country’s vision for ”a more diversified, inclusive and sustainable tourism industry, and to ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach more St. Lucians.”
The St. Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) said that the event will bring together over 100 travel buyers, media and tourism industry partners from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.
It said that the Showcase represents an evolution in the SLTA’s international trade engagement strategy and that rather than conducting separate, market-specific showcases, the Authority is bringing key industry partners together under one platform here, giving them the opportunity to experience the destination and its distinctive offerings firsthand, while engaging directly with the people and tourism stakeholders who bring these experiences to life.
“This focus on deeper destination experiences is also reflected in the SLTA’s approach to international trade engagement engagement. While traditional tourism source markets remain critical, this year’s Showcase places greater emphasis on emerging and high-potential markets and new trade opportunities, with Latin America identified as a key area of focus.
“Europe and other growth markets are also being targeted as St. Lucia continues to diversify its source markets and strengthen international trade relationships.”
The SLTA said that Latin America represents an important growth opportunity, with the Showcase forming part of a broader programme of engagement with the region ahead of the inaugural CTO Latin America Market Summit in Saint Lucia next May.
The initiative is aimed at deepening commercial, cultural and tourism connections between the Caribbean and Latin America.
The programme will feature an opening ceremony on September 17, followed by business-to-business appointments focused on the UK and European markets on the same day, and Canada, US, Latin America and the Caribbean on September 18.
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