Carib Scope

标签： Saint Lucia

圣卢西亚

  • DaSilva, Jangoo earn West Indies recall

    DaSilva, Jangoo earn West Indies recall

    As the Caribbean cricket community gears up for the upcoming two-Test home series against Sri Lanka, Cricket West Indies has announced a reshuffled Test squad headlined by the return of several key players ahead of the opening fixture kicking off next Thursday at Antigua’s iconic Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

    Wicketkeeper-batter Joshua DaSilva and left-handed batsman Amir Jangoo have earned their way back into the Test fold, joining fast bowling pair Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, who are returning to competitive Test squad selection following recovery from injury. The two fast bowlers last appeared in a Test squad during the Caribbean’s home series against Australia in 2025.

    DaSilva’s recall comes on the back of blistering form across the past two editions of the West Indies Championship, where he accumulated a staggering 996 runs to push his case for selection. For Jangoo, a stellar 2026 regional campaign cemented his spot in the squad: he ended the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer and notched a double century, earning his first Test call-up since January 2025. Roston Chase will remain at the helm of the side as captain, with the full 15-man squad released officially by CWI.

    West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has expressed enthusiasm for the challenge of facing a well-rounded Sri Lankan side on home soil this summer. “Every Test series is a chance for this group to grow collectively and build a stronger team identity,” Sammy noted. “Sri Lanka is a high-quality opponent, so we know we have to perform at our very best to get results, but the entire squad is excited for the test that lies ahead.”

    Sammy outlined the core values the team is focusing on ahead of the series, saying, “For us, success comes down to playing with consistent discipline, showing character when matches enter tough phases, and representing the West Indies with pride. The players have put in the hard work during preparations, and we’re eager to put on a strong performance for our fans across the Caribbean.”

    The team is currently wrapped up in a high-performance training camp in Antigua, which will run through June 22, and Sammy opened up about the camp’s critical role in pre-series preparations. “This camp is a key part of getting ready for Sri Lanka. It gives players and coaching staff dedicated time to sharpen the specific skills we need to target against this opponent, and align on our gameplan. It also lets us lock in clear objectives and strategy for the back half of our summer, when we face Pakistan.”

    Beyond the training camp, a four-day warm-up fixture scheduled between June 18 and 21 at Coolidge Cricket Ground will give emerging players a chance to prove themselves against the visiting Sri Lankan side before the first Test. “This warm-up game creates space for our Test hopefuls to compete in high-intensity match play, and fosters healthy competition within the setup for future series selection,” Sammy added. Tevin Imlach has been named captain of the 13-man West Indies Select XI for the warm-up encounter, which includes several members of the full Test squad looking to find match rhythm ahead of the opening Test.

  • Illegal dumping of waste becoming a ‘big’ issue

    Illegal dumping of waste becoming a ‘big’ issue

    Across the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia, a growing public health and environmental crisis is unfolding: widespread indiscriminate dumping of waste is scarring public and private lands. Discarded household garbage, construction debris and other refuse are turning open green spaces, abandoned private lots, rural roadsides and even popular public beaches into unauthorized landfills, according to on-the-ground reporting and local officials.

    In recent weeks, public awareness of the issue has surged, with hundreds of residents sharing photos and accounts of new dumping sites across local social media platforms. High-profile Saint Lucians have joined the conversation, launching grassroots community clean-up drives to clear affected areas and draw attention to the negligent waste practices that created the problem. But despite these volunteer efforts, the illegal dumping has persisted, eventually prompting intervention from the country’s top leadership.

    Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre recently publicly condemned the ongoing behavior, voicing deep frustration with the disregard for public spaces shown by many residents. “There’s a very strange phenomenon happening now: people dump wherever there is open space,” Pierre said, criticizing the irresponsible waste disposal habits that have normalized illegal dumping across the island. The Prime Minister added that he has personally witnessed illegal dumping in progress, and the lack of concern for the environment among offenders has left him deeply concerned about the direction of the country’s public culture. “What kind of society are we heading to?” he questioned.

    Beyond the environmental harm, Pierre emphasized that unregulated dumping creates a significant financial burden for public institutions and ordinary taxpayers. When illegal dumping sites emerge across the island, government crews are typically dispatched to clear and dispose of the waste, diverting limited public resources from other critical community priorities. To address the root of the issue, the Prime Minister announced that existing regulations against illegal dumping will now be strictly enforced, noting that long-term solutions require both stricter state oversight and a cultural shift toward greater personal responsibility among residents.

    A field investigation conducted during the preparation of this report confirmed the scale of the problem: reporters documented multiple active illegal dumping sites scattered across communities across Saint Lucia, with both residents and local leaders naming the issue as one of the most pressing unaddressed public concerns in their areas. While grassroots volunteer groups continue to organize regular clean-up events to mitigate the damage, officials say lasting change will require coordinated action from the government and a collective commitment to protecting shared public spaces.

  • Pierre to assume CARICOM chair as Saint Lucia prepares to host summit

    Pierre to assume CARICOM chair as Saint Lucia prepares to host summit

    The Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia is making final preparations to welcome regional leaders for the 51st regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), scheduled to take place from July 5 to 8. As the host country, Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre is slated to officially assume the rotating chairmanship of CARICOM this coming July, marking a key leadership transition for the 15-member regional bloc.

    Pierre will formally succeed Prime Minister Terrance Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the top CARICOM role, and will serve a six-month term that is set to conclude on December 31, 2026. This year’s flagship regional summit, which gathers the highest elected leaders from across all CARICOM member states, has been framed around the central theme: “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World.”

    In pre-summit remarks, Prime Minister Pierre framed the upcoming conference as a landmark milestone for his country, while laying out his policy and vision roadmap for the Caribbean region during Saint Lucia’s chairmanship tenure. He explained that the chosen summit theme deliberately encapsulates both the persistent systemic challenges the Caribbean bloc faces today, as well as the un-tapped opportunities that stand ready to be seized for collective progress.

    “Caribbean people have always been resilient. Our history tells a story of endurance, of societies that emerged from colonialism, overcame economic vulnerability, and built independent nations guided by hope, determination and unity,” Pierre shared in his address. However, he stressed that the region’s proven ability to weather crises is no longer enough to tackle the growing interconnected, complex challenges that now confront Caribbean nations.

    “The task before us now is renewal,” he stated clearly. Outlining his core priorities for the chairmanship, Pierre confirmed that his leadership will center on revitalizing foundational pillars of regional development: inclusive economic growth, deeper cross-border cooperation, stronger institutional effectiveness, and expanded life-changing opportunities for ordinary Caribbean citizens.

    “CARICOM must deliver results that our people can see and feel in their everyday lives,” Pierre said, emphasizing that regional integration efforts must extend far beyond theoretical policy debates. Instead, he argued, integration must be translated into tangible, actionable benefits that improve daily life for citizens across every CARICOM member state.

  • Young artists leave mark on Saint Lucia’s Halls of Justice project

    Young artists leave mark on Saint Lucia’s Halls of Justice project

    A groundbreaking youth arts initiative that bridges creative expression, civic values and national development has wrapped up in Saint Lucia, leaving an enduring mark on one of the country’s most significant public infrastructure projects. Twenty-one emerging local artists earned a lasting spot in the Saint Lucia Halls of Justice (HOJ) Youth Art Challenge, capping off the competition with a celebratory prize ceremony and public exhibition opening at Constitution Park last Thursday.

    Organized as a collaborative effort between NH International (Caribbean) Ltd., the Ministry of Education, and Republic Bank (EC) Limited, the competition opened submissions to secondary and tertiary students across the entire island. The core prompt invited young creators to explore a deeply personal and civic question: What does justice look like through your eyes?

    Over the course of the challenge, participating students responded with a stunning range of creative mediums, from traditional paintings and handcrafted fibre art to cutting-edge digital pieces, documentary photography, and three-dimensional sculpture. Their works collectively unpack themes central to justice: equal rights, equal access to opportunity, radical truth, community peace, institutional accountability, and collective well-being.

    Organizers designed the challenge with a clear intentionality beyond celebrating artistic talent: they sought to boost youth civic engagement, and push back against the narrow framing of justice as only a legal or bureaucratic concept. Instead, the initiative encouraged young people to recognize justice as a lived force that shapes every part of daily community life.

    In total, nine secondary and tertiary institutions across Saint Lucia submitted entries for consideration. After a rigorous judging process and a public voting campaign that drew nearly 2,000 responses from local residents, winners were selected across multiple categories.

    Top honors went to Makena Edward from Soufrière Comprehensive Secondary School for her work *Justice in Balance*. Second place was awarded to Aquili Arthur of Patricia D. James Secondary School for *Shelter and Justice for All*, while Kami St Rose of St Joseph’s Convent claimed third place for her piece *Justice and Equality for All*. A Special Recognition Award was granted to Rebecca Felix, Neila Martyr, and Trina Pelage from the Stanley Jon Odlum School of Arts, Media and Design for their unique three-dimensional installation *Community Harmony* — the only sculpture entered in the entire competition.

    Speaking at the closing ceremony, Michelle Clarke, Corporate Secretary and Head of Human Resources at NH International (Caribbean) Ltd., emphasized that the project was far more than a typical art competition. She explained that as the lead developer behind the new Halls of Justice, the company views its role as going beyond constructing physical infrastructure. Instead, it aims to uplift communities by passing on core values, creating meaningful opportunities for young people, and building a shared commitment to a progressive Caribbean where excellence has tangible, personal meaning for all residents.

    Wayne Girard, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Economic Development and the Youth Economy, also addressed the gathered participants and guests, encouraging students to see themselves as active contributors to the nation’s ongoing growth. “Development is about much more than roads, bridges and buildings,” he told attendees. “Development is also about citizens. It is about the kind of people we become.”

    Girard went on to highlight the critical role that creative art plays in forging a shared national identity, noting that the winning and selected works have already become a permanent part of the Halls of Justice story — long before the institution opens its official doors. Even before the first judge takes a seat or the first court case is heard, he argued, these young artists have already helped define what justice means to the Saint Lucian people that the new institution will serve.

    Jeremiah Norbert, Minister responsible for Home Affairs, Crime Prevention, Conflict Resolution, and Persons with Disabilities, also attended the ceremony to celebrate the participating youth.

    All 21 selected artworks were officially unveiled at the event, and will remain on permanent public display at the Halls of Justice construction site until building work is completed. For organizers, the ongoing exhibition makes a powerful statement: it ensures that young people are not just passive bystanders to major national development projects, but active co-creators of the values and goals that those projects stand for.

  • Arsenal partnership to bring tourism exposure, football academy to Saint Lucia

    Arsenal partnership to bring tourism exposure, football academy to Saint Lucia

    A landmark multi-year partnership between the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia and English Premier League titleholders Arsenal Football Club is set to reshape the island’s sports tourism landscape and unlock new opportunities for emerging local football talent, officials announced Tuesday at a launch event held at the Royalton Saint Lucia Resort.

    Set to officially kick off ahead of the 2026-27 football season, the agreement names Saint Lucia as Arsenal’s exclusive Official Destination Partner, a collaboration that builds on the island’s existing strategy of pairing with leading global sports brands to expand its international tourism footprint. In recent years, Saint Lucia has already rolled out similar cooperative initiatives with Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, cementing its focus on sports-driven tourism growth.

    Under the terms of the deal, the “Brand Saint Lucia” identity will receive widespread, high-visibility promotion across all of Arsenal’s major global media channels, including prominent signage at the club’s Emirates Stadium in London (including dedicated placement during match halftime shows) and featured integration across the club’s official digital platforms, such as its popular team-focused podcasts. The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) notes that this exposure will put the island’s attractions in front of Arsenal’s hundreds of millions of engaged fans worldwide, with the ultimate goal of driving increased visitor arrivals and tangible economic gains for Saint Lucia’s core tourism sector.

    At the core of the collaboration is a shared commitment to community and youth development: the pair will jointly develop a state-of-the-art youth football Academy Hub on the island, based at the Sab Playing Field facility in Saint Lucia’s capital city of Castries. The academy will create structured mentorship programs and clear professional development pathways for young Saint Lucian players, giving emerging local talent access to resources and guidance to reach their full athletic potential. The partnership also elevates Saint Lucia’s global profile beyond tourism, positioning the island as an emerging hub for youth football development in the Caribbean.

    Speaking at the launch event — which was attended by Saint Lucian diplomatic representatives, national sports icons Daren Sammy and Julien Alfred, and local Arsenal supporters — Saint Lucia’s Minister for Tourism, Commerce, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Heritage Dr. Ernest Hilaire framed the deal as a natural alignment of shared values between the Caribbean nation and the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League runners-up. “This partnership is grounded in shared values of social responsibility, resilience and sustainability, reflected in both Arsenal’s work with its supporters and community, and our commitment to our people,” Hilaire said. “We look forward to showcasing Saint Lucia’s vibrant culture, dynamic events calendar and natural beauty to Arsenal supporters worldwide.”

    Arsenal Chief Commercial Officer Juliet Slot echoed the enthusiasm, describing the agreement as a meaningful step forward for the club’s global growth ambitions. “This is an exciting partnership that gives us this opportunity and will help fuel our ambitions of growth and success,” Slot said. “We want every Gooner, whether they’re in Islington or Saint Lucia, whether they’ve been supporting us for 50 years or five, to feel and see themselves in our club.”

    Minister for Youth Development and Sport Kenson Casmir, a lifelong Arsenal supporter, shared his excitement over the youth academy component of the deal, noting that the facility would bring unprecedented development opportunities to young local athletes. In the coming months, members of Arsenal’s commercial team will travel to Saint Lucia to film branded promotional content for the partnership, with the project set to feature a yet-unannounced Arsenal club legend.

  • Barbados now has a national instant payment system

    Barbados now has a national instant payment system

    Barbados has entered a new era of digital finance with the official launch of BiMPay, the island nation’s first national instant payment infrastructure, developed and rolled out by the Central Bank of Barbados. The groundbreaking platform went live shortly before midnight on Friday following two years of rigorous development, enabling round-the-clock, real-time fund transfers for individual consumers, private enterprises, and public sector agencies across the country.

    In the first 48 hours of operation, the system exceeded early expectations, processing more than 20,000 individual transactions with a total combined value approaching BDS$8 million, equal to roughly US$4 million, central bank officials confirmed. Currently, 11 key entities are already integrated into the BiMPay network, including six of Barbados’ leading commercial banks, three credit unions, the Barbados Stock Exchange, and the Accountant General’s Office, allowing for instantaneous fund movement between participating institutions and eliminating the traditional wait times for payment clearance.

    The launch was not without early minor hiccups: a sudden surge in user interest saw roughly 12,000 people download the BiMPay app within the first 60 minutes of going live, which triggered an automatic spam flag from Google for registration emails sent to Gmail account holders. Central Bank Governor Dr. Kevin Greenidge noted that the technical issue was resolved rapidly, and despite the temporary disruption, the system recorded a 99% transaction success rate in its opening days.

    “For a newly launched system of this scale, a 99% success rate across 20,000 transactions totaling $8 million is an extraordinary result,” Greenidge emphasized.

    Planning is already advancing for a second expansion phase that will onboard additional financial institutions and government bodies, most notably the National Insurance and Social Security Service. Authorities have not yet set a firm timeline for the rollout of phase two, however, noting that further standardization work is required to guarantee seamless transaction processing across all new and existing connected entities.

    Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who carried out the system’s first official live transaction during Friday’s launch ceremony, framed BiMPay as a transformative leap forward for the country’s broader digital transformation agenda. “When a country sleeps, it loses opportunity,” Mottley stated, pointing out that the 24/7 availability of the system removes the time barriers that once limited economic activity.

    Beyond convenience, Mottley highlighted that the instant payment system will bring long-term benefits to small business owners, who will be able to build formal digital financial records through regular transactions, improving their eligibility for much-needed credit. The platform is also expected to cut down on cash-related crime by reducing overall reliance on physical banknotes across the Barbadian economy.

    The launch of BiMPay aligns with a growing regional trend across the Caribbean, where more countries are investing in modern digital payment infrastructure to boost financial inclusion, cut reliance on cash, and streamline transaction processes for both consumers and business operators.

  • IRD, ECCO join forces on tax collection and music rights

    IRD, ECCO join forces on tax collection and music rights

    A new collaborative agreement between Saint Lucia’s tax regulator and the Eastern Caribbean’s leading music rights management organization is set to streamline enforcement of both tax collection and copyright compliance across the island’s entertainment sector.

    On [date undisclosed], the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc. formalized their partnership with a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes a structured framework for secure information sharing between the two entities.

    Under the terms of the arrangement, the two organizations will exchange key operational data to advance their respective enforcement goals. Shared datasets will include event ticket sales revenue, public attendance numbers for live and recorded music events, and other business records that enable accurate tax assessment and verify that venues and event organizers have met mandatory music licensing requirements.

    The MOU also lays out clear protocols for joint cooperation when regulatory responsibilities overlap. These protocols include formal referrals of suspected non-compliance cases between the two agencies and coordinated investigative work when potential violations of both tax law and copyright regulations are identified.

    To protect sensitive taxpayer and business data, the agreement includes strict confidentiality clauses that require all shared information to be processed and stored in full alignment with Saint Lucia’s existing legal framework. These binding requirements cover compliance with four core pieces of national legislation: the Income Tax Act, the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act, the Copyright Act, and the Companies Act.

    Martin A. James, Chief Executive Officer of ECCO, emphasized that the cross-agency partnership marks a transformative shift for the region’s music industry. “This MOU is a significant step forward in our ability to ensure that the business of music operates with integrity and fairness,” James explained. “By working hand-in-hand with IRD, we can better protect the intellectual property rights of our member composers, performers, and rights holders, while promoting accountability across the entire entertainment sector.”

    Felicia Ellie, Comptroller of Saint Lucia’s IRD, echoed that sentiment, noting that targeted collaboration between public revenue bodies and creative industry stakeholders delivers mutual benefits for both regulators and the sector itself. “Collaboration between public revenue authorities and creative sector organizations is essential,” Ellie stated. “This agreement will not only help strengthen overall tax compliance across the entertainment industry but also support the long-term growth of the creative industry by ensuring that all legal obligations are met transparently and efficiently.”

    The agreement will remain in force indefinitely, unless either party chooses to initiate modifications or terminate the arrangement through formal mutual agreement.

  • TVET schools get equipment to train students for green jobs

    TVET schools get equipment to train students for green jobs

    Small island nations across the Caribbean are accelerating their transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies – and that shift demands a workforce equipped with the right practical skills to fill emerging green jobs. In Saint Lucia, that demand is being met with a landmark new donation of specialized technical equipment to the country’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector, aimed at preparing young people for careers in sustainable development, renewable energy and green entrepreneurship.

    The donation forms a core component of two linked international initiatives: the Green & Blue Skills project and the NDC-Tec (Nationally Determined Contributions Technology) Project. It is fully funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment through the country’s International Climate Initiative (IKI), with implementation led by GIZ, Germany’s state-owned international development cooperation agency. Beyond Saint Lucia, the NDC-Tec project will roll out similar equipment upgrades to TVET institutions across other CARICOM (Caribbean Community) member states in coming months, supporting a regional push for just transition to green economies.

    To date, the programme has already begun delivering new tools to four of Saint Lucia’s leading TVET institutions: the School of Innovation and Technology, the Stanley Jon Odlum School of Arts, Media and Design, the School of Sustainable Agriculture and Culinary Arts, and the School of Construction and Heritage. Some equipment has already been installed at participating campuses, with the remaining shipment scheduled to arrive by the end of this week, according to GIZ’s programme head Ina De Visser.

    The diverse equipment package is tailored to build skills across multiple high-growth green sectors of Saint Lucia’s economy. For renewable energy training, institutions received two photovoltaic system trainers that allow students to gain hands-on experience installing and maintaining solar power setups, alongside basic electrical installation training kits to build foundational technical skills. Two electric vehicle diagnostic tools – the centrepiece of the donation, aligned with global shifts toward electric mobility – give students the practical knowledge needed to enter the growing EV maintenance and repair sector.

    For the island’s large agriculture and food processing sector, the donation includes two industrial smokers for developing value-added smoked food products such as smoked fish and cured meats, a pulveriser for processing raw cocoa, coffee and grain, and a commercial chocolate melanger to support artisanal chocolate production – a fast-growing niche tourism and export sector for Saint Lucia. The School of Innovation and Technology also received specialized green cooling systems to replace energy-intensive traditional air conditioning, cutting campus emissions while giving students first-hand experience with low-carbon climate control technology. As TVET Education Officer Delthia Naitram explained, the systems address a longstanding campus comfort issue while demonstrating sustainable solutions in action.

    Speaking at an official handover ceremony held at the School of Innovation and Technology’s Anse Ger campus in Deruisseaux, De Visser emphasized the programme’s core goal: to ensure the new tools are fully integrated into training curricula and help close the skills gap for modern green economy jobs. “We hope these items will be used extensively and contribute to preparing the students for modern jobs,” she said.

    GIZ Technical Advisor Sarah Stadler added that the initiative does more than deliver equipment: it supports the government of Saint Lucia’s long-term goal of expanding and modernizing the country’s entire TVET sector, aligning training outcomes with national climate and development priorities.

    Augusta Emmanuel, principal of the School of Innovation and Technology, echoed that outlook in her address to the ceremony, noting that the new equipment will enable the institution to launch industry-recognized certification programmes tailored directly to current and emerging job opportunities in the island’s growing green and blue economies.

    Saint Lucia’s Minister in the Ministry of Education Danny Butcher framed the investment as a critical response to global shifts in the world of work. Rapid technological innovation is reshaping every major industry worldwide, he pointed out, and the transition to electric mobility and clean energy is no longer a distant future – it is already unfolding across the Caribbean. “We must prepare our young people not for the jobs of yesterday, but for the opportunities of tomorrow,” Butcher said.

  • Saint Lucia prepares for tourism growth as new projects begin

    Saint Lucia prepares for tourism growth as new projects begin

    The Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia is on track to record its most rapid tourism expansion in recent years over the coming 18 months, according to the top official of the country’s national tourism governing body.

    Louis Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA), outlined this upbeat growth projection during an address delivered at the annual Global Piton Awards on Saturday, June 13. The core driver of this upcoming expansion, Lewis explained, will be a wave of newly completed hospitality infrastructure and purpose-built tourism developments set to enter operation across the island.

    “It’s the quickest growth period that we are going to have in the next eighteen months,” Lewis stated during the event. “There are some new things that are coming to market. We are having additional rooms.”

    Industry analysts note that the planned increase in accommodation capacity will address a long-standing limit on Saint Lucia’s ability to host higher volumes of international travelers. Lewis confirmed that the total inventory of hotel rooms across the island is set to jump by roughly 20%, a substantial upgrade that will directly boost the country’s visitor hosting capacity. “We have been looking at somewhere in the range of about 20% increase in our number of rooms, so that we have the capacity to be able to host more of our visitors,” he added.

    Beyond expanding accommodation capacity, Saint Lucia is also strategically diversifying its tourism product to align with shifting global traveler preferences that have emerged in the post-pandemic era. Long renowned as a premier global destination for romantic getaways, honeymoons and destination weddings, the island is now carving out a growing niche in the fast-expanding wellness tourism segment to attract new audience groups.

    Lewis emphasized that the country has no plans to step back from its core romantic tourism offerings, which have long been a cornerstone of its tourism brand. Instead, wellness travel is being positioned as a complementary addition to Saint Lucia’s portfolio of visitor experiences, with early data already showing measurable growth in this segment. “We’re not going to lose it, but we are adding wellness as well, and we are seeing some growth in that direction,” he explained.

    The shift toward wellness tourism comes as global travel patterns have changed substantially following the COVID-19 pandemic. Lewis noted that post-pandemic travelers increasingly prioritize experiences that center on personal health, holistic well-being and genuine engagement with local culture, a trend that Saint Lucia is well-equipped to accommodate.

    “People are looking for more immersive, integrative, authentic experiences and coming out of COVID we have heightened awareness of our own wellness; people are travelling to immerse themselves in destinations, and we are providing that product,” Lewis said.

    Another key strategic priority for the island is expanding community-based tourism, an approach that aims to distribute the economic benefits of travel more broadly across local populations rather than concentrating them in large, isolated resort properties. The government of Saint Lucia has rolled out targeted initiatives to develop new community-led experiences that encourage visitors to venture beyond resort grounds and connect directly with local communities and ways of life.

    One of the most anticipated new tourism projects breaking new ground for Saint Lucia is the development of three underwater sculpture parks, a unique attraction that combines art, cultural storytelling and environmental stewardship. Set to feature approximately 300 original sculptures — many of which will be built at larger-than-life scales — the underwater parks are designed to showcase the island’s cultural narrative while advancing global sustainability and marine conservation goals.

    Lewis explained that the one-of-a-kind attraction does more than just offer visitors a unique recreational experience: it uses public art to share the full story of Saint Lucia, from its historical origins to its current work leading climate action and environmental protection among small island developing nations. “That is where you get to see Saint Lucia’s story, not just the history of how we’ve come to where we are but what we are doing with regard to sustainability and environmental preservation,” he said.

    Despite being a small island nation with limited global economic influence, Saint Lucia is positioning itself as a leader in innovative, sustainable tourism development, Lewis added. The underwater sculpture park project is just one example of how the country is leveraging creative tourism experiences to advance global environmental protection efforts, demonstrating that small nations can deliver outsized impact in climate and conservation action.

  • ‘No control’: PM Pierre on Ireland’s abrupt visa demand

    ‘No control’: PM Pierre on Ireland’s abrupt visa demand

    In an unexpected announcement that has upended decades of seamless cross-border travel, Ireland has imposed new mandatory visa requirements for all Saint Lucian passport holders, a policy that went into effect this Monday and caught the Saint Lucian government completely off guard. Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre told reporters at a pre-Cabinet press briefing on Monday that his administration only received formal notification of the policy change from Ireland’s embassy in Ottawa, Canada, this past Friday, with no advance bilateral discussions or consultations held between the two nations ahead of the rule being enacted.

    The new visa mandate applies not only to ordinary Saint Lucian passports but also to diplomatic and service passports, and Saint Lucia is not the only nation targeted: Ireland added Saint Kitts and Nevis and Nicaragua to the list of visa-required countries alongside it. This move marks the end of a long-standing visa-free travel arrangement between Saint Lucia and Ireland, and comes just months after the United Kingdom implemented a nearly identical restriction on Saint Lucian travelers, a decision British officials justified by citing a uptick in asylum applications from Saint Lucian nationals and stated security concerns over the island nation’s Citizenship by Investment Programme.

    In contrast to the UK’s explicit reasoning, Ireland’s official notice only framed the policy adjustment as a routine step to align the country’s immigration practices with those already in place in the UK, the Schengen Area, and Northern Ireland. No specific concerns related to Saint Lucia or its citizens were named in the official notice.

    While Pierre acknowledged that Ireland holds full sovereign authority to craft its own immigration rules, noting that “I have no control over Irish internal policy… The Irish government decides what’s in the best interest of Ireland,” he argued that the abrupt change is far from an isolated policy tweak. Instead, he framed it as a clear symptom of a spreading anti-immigrant and increasingly insular trend taking hold across Europe and other developed nations.

    “The situation is that these countries have decided that they are going to be anti-immigrant. That’s why it’s so important that our region… get together, because the whole world seems to be getting very insular,” Pierre said.

    Pierre’s observation aligns with broader regional dynamics across Europe, where immigration has emerged as one of the most divisive and politically charged issues in recent years. In Ireland specifically, growing public discourse and even periodic public protests over migration policy have pushed the issue to the top of the domestic political agenda in recent months, creating pressure on Irish officials to adjust border rules.