Saint Lucia’s government delegation is spearheading a regional push for strengthened aviation infrastructure at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s Air Connectivity Summit in Bermuda this week. Leading the island nation’s representation are Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire and Saint Lucia Tourism Authority CEO Louis E. A. Lewis at the February 24th convening.
The high-stakes assembly brings together tourism ministers, airline executives, aviation regulators, and policy architects to deliberate on the future of air transportation and its indispensable function in driving tourism economies throughout the Caribbean region and internationally. The summit’s agenda features strategic dialogues with aviation industry leaders focused on amplifying global airlift capabilities, reinforcing regional air networks, and examining aviation’s direct correlation with tourism expansion.
Saint Lucia’s involvement highlights the administration’s dedicated emphasis on cultivating airlift alliances, refining route development methodologies, and positioning the destination for consistent growth in overnight visitor arrivals. Minister Hilaire emphasized in an official statement that ‘air connectivity remains one of the most critical pillars of tourism competitiveness,’ noting that ‘strategic airlift development is fundamental to Saint Lucia’s tourism growth and overall economic resilience.’
CEO Lewis reinforced the collaborative nature of aviation advancement, stating that ‘air connectivity is more than routes; it is about partnerships, data-driven planning, and aligning aviation strategy with tourism demand.’ The tourism authority anticipates the summit discussions will bolster existing initiatives to improve connectivity from primary source markets while tackling the persistent challenges of intra-regional travel within the Caribbean basin.