Tourism and Investment Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire has acknowledged both logistical concerns and promising tourism trends during his weekly pre-Cabinet press briefing held on Monday. Chief among the issues discussed were the challenges associated with the current Lucian Carnival route and the interpretation of this year’s tourism arrival figures, particularly when compared to last year’s record-setting numbers.
Hilaire said the growing size of carnival bands is putting strain on the existing route, which spans from the Choc Roundabout through Castries and back. “We’re very proud of the route that we have, MegaJ to MegaJ, along the waterfront, but it is posing quite a few challenges,” he stated. “As the bands get bigger, it becomes even more challenging.” He commended law enforcement, emergency personnel, and road marshals for their efforts in maintaining safety and order during the festivities, but stressed that the government must soon make a decision on whether the route remains feasible. “If it continues to grow at the pace at which it is growing, it forces us to question whether we should not move,” Hilaire added.
On the topic of tourism arrivals, the minister noted a dip in June 2025 figures, with arrivals totalling 33,696—a 12 percent decline compared to June 2024. However, Hilaire explained this was not a cause for concern. “June 2024 was unusually high,” he said, attributing the spike to the hosting of the Cricket World Cup and an international conference. “We had a 42 percent increase in 2024 over 2023. So what you see in June 2025 is almost a return to normalcy.”
Despite the June dip, July 2025 has shown strong performance, particularly in the lead-up to Carnival. In the 20 days leading up to the Parade of the Bands, Saint Lucia welcomed 28,764 visitors—an increase of 10 percent over the same period in 2024. “All the markets showed increases,” Hilaire confirmed. The United States saw a 6 percent rise, the United Kingdom 1 percent, Canada 16 percent, and the Caribbean region recorded a notable 35 percent increase.
However, he pointed out a curious trend: a decrease in arrivals from the Saint Lucian diaspora, even as other markets surged. While Hilaire did not speculate on the reason for the dip, he affirmed that early bookings for 2026 suggest the island is “on track for another bumper year” if current conditions hold.
The minister concluded by reiterating the importance of balancing the tourism sector’s continued growth with adequate infrastructure and planning, especially during hallmark events like Lucian Carnival.
