Castries, Saint Lucia: Minister of Tourism- Dr Ernest Hilaire attended “The Gimies- The Saint Lucia Tourism Awards” ceremony and referred to it as the platform to honour exceptional achievements in the industry. He said that the award function is an opportunity to showcase the vibrant community and beauty of the nation.
Speaking at the ceremony on Saturday night, Dr Hilaire congratulated all the nominees and the winners for their exceptional contribution to uplifting the tourism sector across the globe. He also lauded the tourism industry of Saint Lucia, noting that the sector has evolved with time and showcased the true essence of the country.
He said, ”It is through tourism, that we showcase the beauty of our destination, share our rich culture, boost our welcoming and warm nature, and create memorable experiences for visitors.” Dr Hilaire further termed tourism as the heartbeat of Saint Lucia’s growth and prosperity.
He added that it is not merely a driver for the economic diversification of the country, but a heartbeat of the overall wellbeing of the country and its citizens. Saint Lucia is one of the leading, sustainable, tourism destinations which is growing with time.
Minister Hilaire also showcased his vision to further uplift the tourism sector and stated,” Our vision is to transform Saint Lucia’s tourism industry and we have already begun. This is a shared vision for economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability that exists.”
He asserted that the ministry has been focusing on designing a structure that works for the diversification of tourism offerings, advancing community tourism, supporting and facilitating investments in small and large businesses, boosting eco-friendly practices, and ensuring that the benefits of tourism are felt every corner of the island.
Minister Hilaire said,”We are here tonight in this magnificent night of celebration and we must not forget the purpose of Gimies. The Gimies is about you, the partners that make this industry successful.”
Terming tourism as the backbone of the country, he asserted that the industry is the livelihood of this country and they must celebrate doors that make it successful. He stressed that the country in the past never celebrated Banana farmers who made Banana farming and industry successful and paved the path toward modern Saint Lucia.
Minister Hilaire added that they should not make that mistake again as Gimies is the chance to highlight the unsung heroes who wake up every day to ensure the livelihood the country enjoys. The platform is not just to celebrate, but to set a benchmark to ensure the sustainable future of Saint Lucia and its tourism sector.
“For us, Gimies is a development program, that is celebrated on the stage, it is a chance to allow the tourism stakeholders to boost the tourism offering with eco-friendly practices. It is our deliberate attempt to nurture the small businesses in the tourism industry, ”said the minister.