Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Ms. Donalyn Vittet, said the impact on the economy following the reopening of the tourism sector has been far reaching.

The sector was reopened on July 9, and commenced with Saint Lucia receiving commercial flights. To house visitors, several properties on island—Sandals Grande St Lucian, Ladera, Sugar Beach A Viceroy Resort, Stonefield Villa Resort, Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Spa, Jade Mountain, Anse Chastanet, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, Marigot Bay Resort Spa and Marina, Serenity at Coconut Bay, Tet Rouge Resort, Caille Blanc Villa and Hotel and Cap Maison—received COVID-19 certification following the implementation of health protocols.

Just under 1500 individuals have resumed employment at the hotels, with others employed at the quarantine centers. A total of 500 taxi drivers were COVID-19 certified and are currently in operation, along with 56 boat operators. The permanent secretary said employment will continue to mushroom.

Saint Lucia’s “Bubblecation” campaign also allows for increased employment within the tourism industry. The campaign was launched with the view of allowing individuals from countries within the designated travel bubble to visit Saint Lucia without having to undergo the 14-day quarantine period. Instead, travelers would have to present a negative PCR test conducted seven days or less before travel.

As of Aug. 7, the bubble countries included, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Anguilla, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Monsterrat, Saint Barthelmy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.

While Bermuda has not been removed from the bubble, anyone travelling from Bermuda via an international jurisdiction will be treated as an international traveler.

The Permanent Secretary stressed that it is important to allow equal business opportunity for all sub-sectors of the tourism industry, and the introduction of the “Bubblecation” campaign does just that.

Meanwhile, Saint Lucia has extended the first phase of the reopening of the tourism industry to Sep. 30, due to associated risks.