The Gimies, Saint Lucia’s Tourism Awards Programme continues to set the benchmark for excellence within the island’s tourism sector, with the 4th annual ceremony held on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority extends heartfelt congratulations to the thirty eight awardees whose outstanding service, innovation, and commitment continue to define and elevate Saint Lucia’s tourism product. From accommodation providers and tour operators to frontline service professionals, these honourees represent the very best of the destination and play a critical role in shaping the visitor experience.
This culture of excellence is reflected in the destination’s strong tourism performance at the start of 2026.
Early indicators point to sustained growth across all major segments of the industry. Stayover arrivals totalled 37,651 in January and 38,576 in February, bringing year-to-date (YTD) figures to 76,227; an increase over both 2025 and pre-pandemic 2019 levels. This performance has been driven by strong demand from the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean market.
Cruise tourism also delivered impressive results, with January 2026 recording a historic high of 150,232 arrivals, followed by 120,220 in February, bringing the year-to-date total to 270,452. Yacht arrivals reached 9,931, while overall visitor arrivals climbed to 356,930, reflecting continued growth across the sector.
Tourism performance across the Caribbean continues to be shaped by global economic conditions, evolving travel demand, and airline capacity adjustments, particularly in long-haul markets such as the United Kingdom and Europe. Within this context, Saint Lucia has remained resilient, maintaining strong competitiveness in its key source markets.
The stayover segment, the largest contributor to tourism’s economic impact, has remained strong and continues to outperform pre-pandemic levels, despite a temporary reduction in room stock during 2025 due to renovations and redevelopment. The sector recorded an average occupancy rate of 72%, above 2019 levels, while Average Daily Rate (ADR) has nearly doubled since 2019, reflecting stronger yields, higher visitor value, and sustained demand.
Tourism continues to drive economic activity in Saint Lucia, with increased visitor spending benefiting SMEs and communities, and the Gimies underscoring the link between service excellence and impact. The United States remains the leading market, with Canada recovering and Europe reflecting global trends, while strong airlift continues to support demand and growth.
Louis E A Lewis, CEO of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority remarked; “we remain focused and agile, while our stakeholders will be informed and positioned to maximise opportunities across the sector.”
Looking ahead, the SLTA will introduce its Quarterly Tourism Impact Report, offering deeper insight into the sector’s economic contribution. As 2026 gains momentum, the Authority remains focused on strategic marketing, market diversification, and strong partnerships to drive sustained growth and national benefit.
