St. Lucia enters the new year poised for continued tourism growth as the island celebrates an impressive six percent increase in total visitor arrivals in 2014 over 2013, with nearly 340,000 visitors.
Equally impressive, the island reported seven record breaking months - February, March, April, June, October, November and December, demonstrating year round demand for the destination.
The top markets to Saint Lucia each reported healthy gains. The United States, the island’s leading market commanding nearly half (42 percent) of arrivals, saw a strong 11 percent growth over 2013. The second largest market, the United Kingdom, saw four percent increase in 2014 over 2013; while Canada, the fourth largest market for Saint Lucia, also saw a double-digit increase in arrivals of 15 percent in 2014.
Airlift to Saint Lucia also increased a combined 14 percent overall in 2014 with 10 percent from the U.S., 14 percent from the U.K. and 18 percent from Canada, and an expected increase in airlift in 2015 of 14 percent.
Overall, top source markets to the island reported stay-over arrivals of more than 340,000 in 2014, a nearly six percent increase over 2013, reported Louis Lewis, director of tourism for the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.
From acclaimed events and festivals, such as the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, to investments in new and enhanced hotels and tourism products, Saint Lucia is poised for continued growth in the coming year.
“Partnership is key to keeping the momentum strong for Saint Lucia’s marketing efforts,” said Lewis in a written release. “We work closely with our hotel and product partners, travel agent partners, tour operators, and airlines, to harness ideas and resources for the success of the overall destination.”
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