The Saint Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB), the island’s principal promotions and marketing agency, is working to generate interest within the Caribbean market.

The SLTB recently concluded a series of promotions in Trinidad and Tobago that culminated with a grand exposé at Trincity Mall, one of the leading shopping centres in the twin island republic. In addition to the mall promotions, the SLTB also hosted a radio/TV media blitz and a series of sales calls to travel agents in the south of Trinidad.

Sales calls were also made to marina officials and boat charter companies in the yachting community in Martinique. The intent is to increase the number of yacht calls in that market and pursue strategic partnerships. 

Eight Saint Lucian-based hotels—Marigot Bay Beach Club, The Body Holiday, Bay Gardens Resorts, Smugglers Cove, Alize Inn, Habitat Terrace, Coco Palm and Coconut Bay—partnered with the Saint Lucia Tourist Board as part of the Nov. 29 marketing extravaganza. Working alongside Trinidadian-based travel agents, consumers who attended the marketing expo were offered the opportunity to win several prizes as part of the promotion. Genelle Bellille of Mt. St. George, Tobago walked away with the grand prize of a trip for two to Saint Lucia on Caribbean Airlines, a two-night all-inclusive stay for two at the Body Holiday and complimentary airport transfers.

Head of Marketing at the SLTB and Deputy Director of Tourism, Tracey Warner-Arnold said the latest series of promotions is part of the overall marketing strategy of the SLTB to continue to generate arrivals from the Caribbean.

“The Caribbean continues to be a key market segment for visitor arrivals to Saint Lucia,” Arnold said. “These strategic interventions serve to educate our Caribbean consumers who still travel to Saint Lucia and also to maintain top of mind awareness in the marketplace.”  

The Caribbean represents the third largest market segment for the island, bringing in an average of 58,000 stay over arrivals annually. Last year in 2013, that market grew by eight percent; and by the end of September 2014, Saint Lucia had already welcomed 42,000 Caribbean visitors with the largest percentages from Martinique and Trinidad, respectively.