Saint Lucia’s Tourism Industry is poised for a major boost, as government’s plans for the establishment of a “home port” in Vieux Fort takes shape.

On Nov. 15, Prime Minister Hon. Allen Chastanet updated the business community on the proposed development which forms part of the Desert Star Holding’s Pearl of the Caribbean Project.

The Prime Minister was the feature speaker at the Chamber of Commerce’s Encounter Series. Members of the Chamber received first-hand information on government’s development plans announced in the 2018/2019 budget.

The prime minister told members of the business community that government remains committed to bringing about economic opportunities and prosperity to the island. A major element of the government’s plan is the Pearl of the Caribbean Development by Desert Star Holdings (DSH). The multi-billion-dollar project is divided into three components, designated sites A, B and C.

Site C is designed to capitalize and expand Saint Lucia’s growth in the cruise tourism sector. Already the island has recorded a 31.9 percent increase in cruise arrivals this year, stemming from the expansion of the berth at Pointe Seraphine to accommodate freedom class cruise vessels.

Prime Minister Chastanet explained that Castries has reached its capacity which paves the way for Vieux Fort to become a home port. The prime minister revealed that negotiations with Carnival Cruise Lines for the construction of a terminal have reached an agreement in principle, adding that, “the only part that is pending is the simulation test because Carnival has identified two potential locations. One is the existing cargo dock in Vieux Fort and the other is the Il Pirata site. The government’s preference is the site near Il Pirata because from a medium to long term perspective there is more scope for expansion.”

The prime minister noted that while the expansion works at Pointe Seraphine have improved the class of vessels being accommodated, newer ships such as the Oasis and Genesis, with passenger capacities of more than 6000 are still not in reach.

The centerpiece of the “home port” project will be the expansion of the Hewanorra International Airport. The runway will be extended and the existing terminal will be transformed into a Fixed Based Operation for private jets.

The prime minister explained that what government has done “is to move the location of the terminal. This will allow for the existing terminal to remain in operation as a dedicated charter terminal. It will mean that people will be able to get off their chartered flights and go straight onto the ships within minutes.”

Meantime, the horse racing track which forms part of Site A of the DSH Project is advancing. In addition to the race track, the land at the southern end of the development (closer to the La Ressource Road junction) will be transformed into a commercial/residential area. That aspect of the project, the Prime Minister informed, is due to commence early next year.