The Community Tourism Agency is encouraging Babonneau residents to develop more community-based attractions, allowing visitors to experience the area’s food, culture and natural heritage while creating greater economic opportunities for residents.
Speaking at the Babonneau Community Tourism Forum, CTA Business Development Officer Emmanus Alfred said the agency works with citizens, communities and heritage-asset owners to develop competitive, profitable, and sustainable tourism enterprises.
This support includes access to financing, assistance with community branding, and guidance in developing viable tourism products.
“Visitors want to go into the communities, so we must provide things for them to do when they get here. Even when we travel, we want to experience the food and culture in other countries,” Alfred said.
The forum brought together nearly 70 stakeholders at the Union Orchid Gardens to examine how Babonneau’s rivers, forests, farms, food, music and traditions can become part of a sustainable tourism product.
Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Parliamentary Representative for Babonneau, John Paul Estephane, urged residents to become owners, participants and beneficiaries of tourism rather than remain on the sidelines.
“When visitors leave, I want a greater share of the tourism dollar to remain in Babonneau. That is how tourism becomes community development,” Estephane said.
Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, Nicole Su, also stressed that tourism initiatives must reflect the unique identity of each community.
The forum formed part of the Community Business Revitalization Project, a joint initiative of the governments of Saint Lucia and Taiwan. The project has already supported community-tourism initiatives in Fond St Jacques and Laborie.
