CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC—The St. Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) said Monday that the island had achieved a “significant milestone” within the sector after 34 895 visitors arrived in August this year, a 27 percent increase compared to August last year.
The SLTA said that this is the eighth consecutive month-on-month growth in 2024.
“As we collaborate across the industry, we are committed to implementing innovative strategies that will further elevate the visitor experience and attract even more travelers to our shores,” said newly appointed SLTA chief executive officer Louis Lewis.
“St. Lucia is implementing a reimagined strategy, and recent collaborations with the New York Yankees and Olympic Medalist Julien Alfred, serving as a Tourism Ambassador, together, we will build on this positive trajectory and ensure that St. Lucia remains a top choice for visitors seeking unforgettable experiences,” he added.
The SLTA said that the increase in visitor arrivals was led by the United States market, which accounted for 54 percent of total arrivals, a 44 percent increase over US arrivals from August 2023.
It said this surge is attributed to a 53 percent increase in available seats in the US market, primarily driven by American Airlines’ expanded service from Charlotte and Miami.
The Caribbean region also recorded notable growth, with arrivals increasing by 29 percent year over year, paralleling a similar 29 percent rise in available seats.
It said that critical contributions came from interCaribbean, Air Adelphi, and Sunrise Airways, which expanded direct airlift from Antigua, Barbados, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Jamaica. Additionally, St.Lucia hosted the Goodwill Swimming Championships in August, attracting many visitors from across the Caribbean.
According to the SLTA, August year-to-date figures show that stay-over arrivals are 18 percent higher than in 2023 and three percent above the same period in 2019, which serves as a key benchmark from before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These numbers suggest that St. Lucia is on track to surpass 2019’s stay-over arrival totals by the end of the year, signaling a robust recovery for the island’s tourism industry,” the SLTA said, adding “tourism stakeholders are optimistic about sustaining this momentum as the island continues to enhance its appeal as a premier travel destination.
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