SOUFRIERE, SAINT LUCIA — The Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SRDF) has placed an immediate hold on the newly announced fee adjustments for the Sulphur Springs Park and Soufriere Jetties, amid swift backlash from the former Parliamentary Representative for Soufriere/Fond St Jacques, Herod Stanislas.
The May 24th announcement proposed rate changes, which were scheduled to take effect from June 1, 2025, and would have seen notable increases in visitor fees, including a jump from EC$25 to EC$30 (US$10 to US$12) for adult baths at the Sulphur Springs. Similar hikes were also announced across other categories. However, just days after the announcement, SRDF has opted to suspend the implementation to make room for more inclusive consultations with the tourism sector.
“This pause is a strategic decision to foster broader dialogue on matters such as docking policies, rescue operations, pricing models, and the long-term management of Soufriere’s tourism infrastructure,” SRDF stated in a news release on June 4th.
Former MP Herod Stanislas, under whose tenure the upgrades to the facilities were commissioned, has expressed strong opposition to the fee hike. According to Stanislas, such adjustments, especially without adequate public consultation, risk undermining the accessibility and sustainability of these tourism assets for both visitors and locals.
The SRDF has reiterated its commitment to maintaining high standards at its managed sites and ensuring that any policy changes align with both community benefit and economic resilience. The organization says it remains optimistic that structured stakeholder engagement will lead to a more coordinated and sustainable tourism strategy for Soufriere.
