Tourism and security officials met on Friday to address escalating safety and security concerns in Soufrière, as stakeholders intensified efforts to safeguard one of Saint Lucia’s most vital tourism destinations. The discussion is taking place against the backdrop of a recent U.S. Embassy security alert targeting a prominent Soufriere-area resort.
The U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, issued a travel alert on February 4 that bars U.S. government employees from staying at the Ladera Resort near Soufriere, citing crime-related safety risks and concerns about the property’s ability to respond effectively in emergency situations. While the advisory does not change the island’s overall travel status, it has drawn attention to localized safety issues in and around one of the country’s most iconic tourism zones.
Friday’s meeting brought together senior representatives from the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA), the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, the parliamentary representative for Soufriere, and officials from the Ministry of Tourism to discuss how best to strengthen security across the district.
Minister for Tourism, Ernest Hilaire, emphasized that security is a shared national responsibility and cannot be left solely to law enforcement. “Security is not just an issue which should be left for the police to solve,” Hilaire said. “The fact is we all have a role to play in securing ourselves, our homes and our beautiful island. Hence, we must work together to see that those with ill intent, and no consideration for others, are not allowed to execute their plans.”
SLHTA Chief Executive Officer Noorani Azeez said the engagement marked the Association’s second quarterly meeting with key partners, in keeping with a commitment made last year to maintain consistent dialogue on safety and security matters affecting Soufrière and its surrounding communities.
Azeez explained that the discussions went beyond identifying challenges, focusing instead on practical and actionable solutions, many of which were presented by the police and received strong support from stakeholders in attendance.
Among the initiatives discussed were enhanced security audits for tourism properties, expanded training and certification for security officers, and improved onboarding and deployment of police personnel in the area. Stakeholders also examined the use of technology to strengthen coordination and improve the overall effectiveness of policing in Soufriere.
Additional measures included programmes aimed at better engaging tourism workers, as well as proactive outreach to at-risk youth through sports, music and entertainment initiatives. These efforts are intended to address security concerns through prevention, inclusion and stronger community involvement.
Azeez described the proposals as wide-ranging and innovative, adding that collaboration among partners would begin immediately and continue into the near future. “As an SLHTA, we’re very, very happy,” he said, emphasizing Soufriere’s critical role in Saint Lucia’s tourism landscape, while acknowledging that the town’s unique characteristics require tailored and coordinated solutions.
He added that the ability to convene multiple stakeholders around one table was an encouraging sign, pointing to a more coordinated, sustainable and community-driven approach to enhancing safety and security in Soufriere, a priority underscored by the recent U.S. Embassy advisory highlighting localized concerns for visitor safety.
