St Lucia targets Canadian tourism market

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TORONTO, Canada, October 29, 2007 - The St Lucia tourism industry has been drumming up business across several Canadian cities.

Their "Fall Destination Product Seminars" took place in Toronto, North Toronto, Oakville, London and Ottawa targeting the travel tourism trade industry.

The marketing thrust is supporting an increase in airlift from Canada for the tourism winter season, additional accommodation capacity, and more tourist attractions in the Caribbean island.

"Many of the island's hotels and attractions are in the midst of significant renovations and expansions and close to 1,000 rooms are coming on stream in St Lucia in the next year," said Alison Theodore, manager of the St Lucia Tourist Board office in Canada who described this as a "sustainable tourism development" surge.

In addition more attractions are planned. Among them, the second annual Food and Rum Festival from November 1 to 4, and "Showtime in Paradise" - a live boxing experience on November 16.

Those participating in the marketing exercise included Almond Resorts, Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain, Bay Gardens Resorts, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, Coco Resorts, Discovery at Marigot Bay, Ladera, Sandals Resorts, Sunswept Resorts - The BodyHoliday, Rendezvous, The Jalousie Plantation and Cotton Bay Village, and Elite Island Resorts - Village Inn and Spa and Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort & Spa.

Also on hand were representatives from Air Canada Vacations, Alio, Intair/Fun Sun, Holiday House, Sunquest, Sunwing Vacations, Transat Holidays, Total Vacations and WestJet.

This winter season Toronto will have increased capacity with new Friday flights on Air Canada's non-stop service; increased capacity on Transat Holidays and Sunquest winter charters; and newly introduced service to St Lucia with Sunwing and WestJet