NEW YORK – The Saint Lucia Tourist Board is reporting strong and genuine interest in the destination from their participation at the recent New York Times Travel Show at Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City during the last weekend in February.
Even the massive snow storm that hit the New York area that week could not hold back thousands of would-be travelers from attending as the Saint Lucia Tourist Board joined with hotel partners Almond Resorts, Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain, Bay Gardens Resorts, Rex Resorts, Stonefield Estate Villa Resort & Spa and the Village Inn & Spa to showcase the Eastern Caribbean island. In fact the feet of snow outside probably enhanced the sun-kissed attraction!
Lisa Samuel of Village Inn Resort & Spa (left) and Lorine St. Jules of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board at the New York Times Travel Show.
“We were really pleased with the show this year and thrilled that there was such a high interest in Saint Lucia,” reported Lorine St. Jules, the New York City-based representative of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board. “Everyone was telling us that they saw us on The Bachelor (ABC’s television series) so we are pleased that our promotions have been successful,” she added, explaining that excellent contacts were made and bookings to Saint Lucia secured.
Veteran hotelier Berthia Parle, General Manager of Bay Gardens Beach Resort, concurred, explaining that there was interest especially for travel between March and May, and towards the end of the year. “People who have been to the island on cruise ships now want to come back, and those who have never visited but heard about us from friends and family definitely want to book Saint Lucia now,” she said, endorsing the travel show as an excellent opportunity to raise the profile and image of Saint Lucia.
Team Saint Lucia: From left: Diane Curtis of Almond Resorts; Kristin Sauter of Stonefield Estate Villa Resort & Spa; Chito Urtula of Rex Resorts; Berthia Parle of Bay Gardens Resorts; Lisa Samuel of Village Inn Resort & Spa; and Lorine St. Jules of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.
Former New York-based hotelier, Lisa Samuel of Village Inn Resort & Spa, predicted that The Bachelor airings, combined with the buzz at the travel show, mark the beginning of exciting times for the destination. “One of the great things about the experience this year is that many people came especially looking for us, saying ‘Oh, Saint Lucia! I have heard great things about you!’ That speaks volumes about our island.”
