Saint Lucia is taking steps to strengthen the quality, safety, and competitiveness of its tourism product, with more than 40 community tourism operators and stakeholders receiving specialized training aimed at improving visitor experiences across the island.
The training initiative, hosted by the Community Tourism Agency (CTA), forms part of ongoing efforts to equip small tourism businesses and community-based operators with the skills and knowledge needed to meet industry standards while contributing to the growth of the country’s tourism sector.
The Public Liability and Tourism Service Standards Workshop focused on critical areas including customer service, safety procedures, risk management, emergency preparedness, public liability insurance, and tourism service standards. The session was facilitated in collaboration with the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards and WJ Montgomery.
As Saint Lucia continues to position itself as a premier tourism destination, industry stakeholders say maintaining high service standards and ensuring visitor safety remain essential to sustaining the sector’s growth and reputation.
CTA Chief Executive Officer Dahlia Guard said the Agency remains committed to helping local tourism entrepreneurs build stronger and more sustainable businesses.
“Community tourism has the power to transform communities, create sustainable livelihoods, and strengthen Saint Lucia’s tourism product,” Guard said, adding that the Agency’s goal is to ensure operators are equipped with the knowledge, standards, and tools necessary to operate professionally and competitively.
Community tourism has increasingly become an important part of Saint Lucia’s tourism offering, providing visitors with authentic cultural, heritage, and community-based experiences while creating economic opportunities for local residents and small businesses.
The CTA said initiatives such as the workshop are designed to help ensure those experiences remain safe, professional, and globally competitive, while supporting broader efforts to expand economic opportunities within communities across the island.
Established under the Community Tourism Development Act of 2022, the Community Tourism Agency is responsible for supporting sustainable community-based tourism initiatives, encouraging local participation and investment, and promoting economic development while preserving the cultural authenticity of Saint Lucian communities.
