Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire is calling for a fundamental shift in how Saint Lucia benefits from its most powerful economic engine, tourism. He is urging greater local ownership, participation, and long-term sustainability.
Speaking at the weekly Pre-Cabinet Press Briefing, Hilaire described tourism not simply as an industry, but as a national asset rooted in the island’s people, culture, and natural beauty. He stressed that the true value of tourism lies in the experiences created by Saint Lucians themselves—and that those returns must increasingly flow back to local communities.
“Tourism is a natural asset of ours,” Hilaire said. “It is the beauty of the island, the experiences we give, the warmth, the hospitality and the culture of our people. Saint Lucians must own that more and more.”
The Minister warned against continued over-dependence on foreign ownership in what he described as a billion-dollar industry, noting that such a model limits meaningful economic impact at home. For tourism to be truly sustainable, he argued, Saint Lucians must move from being participants on the margins to owners at the centre.
“We cannot continue to develop a tourism sector that is primarily owned by foreign interests,” Hilaire said. “The benefits must accrue to us as the owners of that asset.”
As part of the government’s strategy, Hilaire highlighted the Community Tourism Programme as a critical pathway for expanding local ownership. Through technical support, business development services, and access to financing, the initiative is designed to lower barriers and create real opportunities for Saint Lucians to enter and thrive in the tourism space.
The Minister said the approach reflects a broader vision of inclusive growth, where tourism strengthens communities, builds local enterprise, and secures long-term economic resilience for the country
