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The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority ( SLTA) reports that March 2022 had the highest tourist arrivals since the resurgence of the post-pandemic tourist industry. In addition, it achieved a top five performance status in the Caribbean.
Stay-over visitors for March 2022 were recorded at 32,110, (up 21% on the forecasted figure), with a total of 80,811 arrivals year to date (from January to March), marking a very strong start to the year.
This echoes the latest report from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), which confirmed the Caribbean region as leading the world in the recovery of stopover arrivals. The region’s recovery rate sits at 61.5% comparing 2022 to 2019. This is almost double the total global rate of 32.9%.
Saint Lucia is highlighted as one of the best performing destinations for 2022 so far, and is the only country in the Eastern Caribbean in the top five.
The U.S. accounts for 56.2% of total stay-over arrivals year to date in Saint Lucia – approximately 45,400 visitors. The UK is the island’s second largest market with 30.3% of total stay-over arrivals at almost 24,500, the highest share recorded for this market, even pre-pandemic.
With tourism arrivals increasing, SLTA CEO, Lorine Charles-St. Jules said: “To keep the momentum going, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority is running a targeted marketing campaign for the summer months. The revitalization of Lucian Carnival is one of our priority events this year and we will continue to promote our strong niche offerings such as romance, diving, accommodations and adventure with some exciting plans for the rest of the year.”
SLTA continues to engage in productive relationships with trade partners alongside careful management of Covid protocols.
Saint Lucia recently eased its entry requirements. Fully vaccinated visitors and returning nationals no longer need any pre-entry COVID-19 testing whilst the online registration process has been removed for all.
