The Department of Tourism, Information, and Broadcasting together with the Project Coordination Unit of the Department of Economic Development, launched the OECS Regional Tourism Competitiveness Project (ORTCP), last week.

The OECS Regional Tourism Competitiveness Project is a tourism enhancement project for Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and Grenada that aims to facilitate the movement of tourists between the participating countries, improve selective tourism sites and strengthen the capacity for regional tourism market development.

Mrs Aviva St. Clair, Deputy Permanent Secretary within the Department of Tourism, Information, and Broadcasting, said tourism is critical for Saitn Lucia’s development.

“I have had the unique opportunity to work on this project from conception to implementation, first with the team responsible for Economic Planning and Development, and now with the team responsible for tourism. What has been achieved thus far is just the first lap of our team race,” she said. “I am a firm believer that tourism is critical for our development and the Department of Tourism is delighted to partner with the World Bank on the first of what we anticipate to be many initiatives directed to improving the competitiveness of the tourism sector.”

A delegation from the World Bank was present at the launch. Also in attendance were acting Prime Minister Hon. Guy Joseph; Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister  with responsibility for Tourism, Information, and Broadcasting, Hon. Dominic Fedee; Sen. Hon. Ubaldus Raymond, Minister in the Ministry of Finance; and Sen. Hon. Fortuna Belrose, Minister for Culture and Local Government.

The launch was held on Jan. 25, at the Finance Administrative Centre.