St. Lucia Records Robust Tourism Arrivals For the Month of August

CASTRIES, St. Lucia – The St. Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) Monday said the island had achieved a “significant milestone” within the sector after 34, 895 visitors  arrived here in August this year, a  27 per cent increase compared to August last year.

stluhotThe SLTA said that this is the eighth consecutive month-on-month growth in 2024.

“As we collaborate across the industry, we are committed to implementing innovative strategies that will further elevate the visitor experience and attract even more travelers to our shores,” said newly appointed SLTA chief executive officer, Louis Lewis.

“St. Lucia is implementing a reimagined strategy, and recent collaborations with the New York Yankees and Olympic Medalist, Julien Alfred serving as a Tourism Ambassador, together, we will build on this positive trajectory and ensure that St. Lucia remains a top choice for visitors seeking unforgettable experiences,” he added.

The SLTA said that the increase in visitor arrival was led by the United States market, which accounted for 54 per cent of total arrivals, a 44 per cent increase over US arrivals from August 2023.

It said this surge is attributed to a 53 per cent increase in available seats from the US market, primarily driven by American Airlines’ expanded service from Charlotte and Miami.
The Caribbean region also recorded notable growth, with arrivals increasing by 29 per cent year-over-year, paralleling a similar 29 per cent rise in available seats.

It said that key contributions came from airlines such as interCaribbean, Air Adelphi, and Sunrise Airways, which expanded direct airlift from Antigua, Barbados, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Jamaica. Additionally, St.Lucia hosted the Goodwill Swimming Championships in August, attracting a significant influx of visitors from across the Caribbean.
According to the SLTA, year-to-date figures for August show that stay-over arrivals are 18 per cent higher than in 2023 and three per cent above the same period in 2019, which serves as a key benchmark from before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These numbers suggest that St. Lucia is on track to surpass 2019’s stay-over arrival totals by the end of the year, signaling a robust recovery for the island’s tourism industry,” the SLTA said, adding “tourism stakeholders are optimistic about sustaining this momentum as the island continues to enhance its appeal as a premier travel destination.