This Week at the SLTHA, June 13th, 2014

Friday, June 13th, 2014  
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In This Week’s Edition
Orlando’s Restaurant TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence
Attitude Crew from St. Lucia Vie for Barbados J24 Open Championships
About PPI Publishing Group
SLHTA attends discussion on National Land Policy
SLHTA meets with The Clean Nova Scotia Foundation
“Together for a Better Saint Lucia” Dinner, Dr. Didacus Jules Open SLHTA Jubilee Week
Digicel is Gold Sponsor of SLHTA’s Golden Jubilee Dinner
SLHTA Golden Jubilee to Be Marked With AGM, Tourism Linkage Tradeshow, Panel Discussion
SLHTA’s La Belle Helene Magazine Set to reclaim its presence
Meetings with Embassy Representatives
SLHTA hosts Breakfast with Media
Region’s Public Sector Tourism Body and Hemispheric Agriculture Agency Ink Cooperation Agreement
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Capella Spice Quiz Promotion

Capella Marigot Bay Resort is offering a promotion to celebrate their Grand Opening. The prize incudes 3 free nights (in all room categories), a special welcome amenity, complimentary American breakfast daily, in-room and poolside amenities, complimentary in-room refreshments (non-alcoholic), complimentary Wi-Fi, and round-the-clock service provided by the resort’s signature Personal Assistants. These guests will also experience complimentary wine tastings for two. Guests can enter by participating in the Spice Quiz, which is now live on Facebook…Click here to enter. 

Orlando’s Restaurant

TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence

 

The SLHTA congratulates Chef Orlando and his team for the brilliant work they have been doing in the area of Culinary Arts.  After being open only 16 months, Orlando’s Restaurant & Bar in Soufriere is the proud recipient of a ” Certificate of Excellence ” from TripAdviser.

 

Chef / Owner  Orlando Satchell says  ” The restaurant could not have achieved this award without the Loyalty of our local customers and  International audience who has shared the love  of our Caribbean cuisine in Soufriere ,and also  help and support of all my team, this recognition will spur us all on to do even better in the future” and for us to keep sharing the love.

 

According to Fodor’s Travel, “Chef Orlando Satchell, British-born of Jamaican/Barbadian heritage and certainly a man on a mission, spent a dozen years as executive chef at Ladera’s famed Dasheene Restaurant. Now he has spread his wings even further and opened his own restaurant and bar in downtown Soufrière.”

 

He supports local farmers and fishers by using only locally grown meats and organic produce and freshly caught fish in his delicious-and definitely world-class-dishesClick Here for more details.

  Attitude Crew from St. Lucia Vie for Barbados J24 Open Championships

 

Fredric Sweeney – Captain of  Vessel Attitude gives an overview of the event, ”

After a grueling 29hr upwind sail across to Barbados last week, Team Attitude competed in an action packed Barbados J24 Open Championships. 11 top teams from Trinidad, Grenada, St. Lucia and Barbados had 8 very competitive races over the weekend. The conditions on the we

st coast of Barbados were a bit tricky to deal with at times and after a pretty bad start with a 6th and 7th position in the first 2 races we managed to sail consistently well and finished a respectable 3rd overall. I am quite happy with the teams result as our goal was to get on the podium for the first time in Barbados.

The Barbados J24 Club founded in July 2007 has rejuvenated in Barbados the sport of Yacht racing with its camaraderie and spirit of competition. The mission of the club is to encourage and grow the recognition of the J24 class in Barbados and throughout the Southern Caribbean.

He further expressed his gratitude, “Thanks for all the support from IGY and Rodney Bay Marina.” 

About PPI 

Publishing Group

Based in Fort Lauderdale, PPI Group specializes in custom publishing, video production, and onboard and shoreside programs for the cruise and travel industries.

 

PPI Group’s publishing division creates a wide range of in-room custom books and magazines for cruise lines and hotel brands as well as Porthole Cruise Magazine, the company’s flagship cruise magazine, which is available on newsstands and by subscription.

 

The company also boasts an award-winning broadcast department as well as revenue programs that include customized promotions. To learn more, visitppigroup.com.

  SLHTA attends discussion on National Land Policy

 

On Tuesday 10th June 2014, the Ministry of Physical Development, Housing and Urban Renewal, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States held a meeting to discuss proposed revision to the National Land Policy.

The meeting was attended by the SLHTA EVP and a number of other stakeholders from around the island.  The consultants, Messrs Yves Renard and Petrus Compton have conducted interviews, focus group sessions and other activities to facilitate the revision exercise.

The day’s discussion focused on institutional arrangement including the role of Local Government agencies in development, planning and control, broadening the range of instruments, priority projects and interventions in the land markets, creation of land bank and the future of family lands and related issues.

 SLHTA meets with The Clean Nova Scotia Foundation

 

SLHTA Executive Vice President met this week with representatives of the Clean Nova Scotia Foundation, a not- for-profit organization with a broad mandate to work with individuals, government, business, and communities to improve the environment.

The Clean Foundation provides quality environmental education and information in Climate Change and Energy, Community Engagement, Water, Waste and Transportation. The Clean Foundation engaged in dialogue to seek collaborative methods that will lead towards sustainable and positive change. They seek actions that make a positive difference and yet offer opportunities for learning to those who engage in them.

The team discussed some of the challenges faced by SLHTA ranging from Water Security to high energy costs and waste disposal and possible collaboration between the two organizations to access solutions for the SLHTA membership.  For more information on the Clean Foundation visitwww.clean.ns.ca

“Together for a Better Saint Lucia” Dinner, Dr. Didacus Jules Open SLHTA Jubilee Week

 

 

“Together for a better Saint Lucia” is the theme that will govern the 50 anniversary week of activities for the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA), which is set to open with a dinner come Monday June 16 at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom at the Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Beach and Spa Resort.

The event will serve as a networking forum allowing for policy makers to interact with industry operators and an exchange of experiences and thoughts between the two. This comes in keeping with the theme which calls for the strengthening of linkages and increase of cross-sectorial dialogue on Saint Lucia’s tourism product.

It also looks to create avenues that could potentially increase socio-economic gains for the country.

Director General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) – Dr. Didacus Jules, will be in attendance. He will deliver the feature address at this confidential gathering and will highlight his perspectives on the subject of tourism and how it could work in stronger tandem with various stakeholders to better the socio-economic potential of the island.

Among the invited guests are owners of establishments within the Tourism Industry, government officials, and key policy development professionals.

The dinner is designed to function as a private and confidential forum to facilitate open discussion on the way forward for the industry.

Furthermore, the SLHTA will move to celebrate its partners and pioneers with the presentation of a Life Time Achievement award as well as musical presentations from a wide range of artistes.

Dr. Jules served as Permanent Secretary for Education & Human Resource Development in the Ministry of Education, HRD, Youth & Sports in St. Lucia from 1997-2004. He holds a BA (hons) in English from the University of the West Indies in Barbados, an MSc in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MBA from the University of the West Indies in Barbados and a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction and Education Policy from UW-Madison.

Gold Sponsor of the “SLHTA’s Golden Jubilee Dinner”

SLHTA Golden Jubilee to Be Marked With AGM, Tourism Linkage Tradeshow, Panel Discussion At Sandals Grande

Over 200 tourism operators as well as top-level company managers and directors, along with government officials and others will be exposed to the 50th Annual Anniversary Report of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) when the Association meets on June 18.

The Golden Anniversary presentation will take place at the Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Resort and Spa under the theme “Together for a Better Saint Lucia” and will mark the first of four components that will make up the day of activities.

Members will gather in a closed-door session to examine the Association’s audited financial statements and go through a report presented by its president Ms. Karolin Troubetzkoy.

Following this is an exciting component which will come in the form of a Tourism Linkage Tradeshow designed to stimulate interest within the industry.  Representatives of over 40 companies will be participating here.

“The Tradeshow will highlight products and services offered by many companies who are involved in tourism in one way, shape or form. It will also serve as an opportunity for the various people coming through the AGM to really get an idea of the products and services that are on offer here in Saint Lucia,” said SLHTA Executive Vice President Noorani Azeez.

Those participating in the Tradeshow will include – but not limited to – Rainforest Hideaway, LeSport BodyHoliday, Sea Spray Cruises, Sandals, Poytters Joinery, Fond Doux, IGY Marina, SLISBA, Beachcomber, SLASPA, Treasure Bay, Natural Soaps, the Ministry of Tourism, WEST Promotions, Superior Fish and Seafood and more.

“We are hoping for an opportunity for small businesses and companies involved with the SLHTA to network their services here,” Azeez said, adding that the SLHTA has been working closely with the Manufacturers Association, the Creative Development Network and more as part of efforts to tap into their complement of members to be a part of the tradeshow.

Moving on into the day will see a Panel Discussion that will look to encourage stakeholders to share their thoughts on the future of tourism in Saint Lucia. This discussion will cover six varying topics…Click Herefor Panelists.

SLHTA’s La Belle Helene Magazine

Set to reclaim its presence
 

Saint Lucia’s signature La Belle Helene magazine will by November of this year reclaim its presence in SLHTA member-hotel rooms, tourist areas and ports of entry across the country.

This comes following a landmark agreement between the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) and the PPI Publishing Group that will see the publication of the magazine over the next three years. The Group will also serve as the La Belle Helene’s exclusive publisher throughout this period.

Over the years La Belle has developed into a go-to guide for tourists seeking information about Saint Lucia, its festivals, activities, historical sights, people and culture. It was first published in 2007 and is a high-end periodical that also serves as a guest companion and souvenir of Saint Lucia.

The magazine offers insight into health and beauty, promotes the island as a premier wedding destination, and underlines its duty free shopping offerings and experience. It also cites the breath-taking variety of luxury included stay over options ranging from 5-Star hotels to real estate acquiring options.

With the diversity of over 200 tourism partners working with the SLHTA, the magazine also offers an ideal outlet for these stakeholders to highlight their unique products and services in a manner that superbly meshes the overall offerings of the tourism product called ‘Saint Lucia’.

The SLHTA, the pilot of this initiative, notes that the initial announcement of the partnership has already created a sense of enthusiasm from industry partners all keenly anticipating the release of the upcoming edition.

President of the SLHTA Ms. Karolin Troubetzkoy said, “We are excited by the fresh ideas and rich experience PPI Publishing brings to the publication and look forward to maximizing the potential of this product.”

Beginning next week, PPI executives will be in Saint Lucia finalizing the details of the upcoming and future issues of the magazine.

SLHTA Executive Vice President Noorani Azeez pointed out that the revenues derived from the publication will go directly towards programs and services targeting Association members.

That is key because it creates a revenue stream for the SLHTA that allows it to honour its obligation to produce and execute developmental programs and services for its membership,” Azeez said.

According to PPI Publishing Group, the magazine will debut with a brand-new design.

We’re very much looking forward to publishing this luxury travel magazine and bringing the publication to the next level,” said Bill Panoff, President and CEO of PPI Group. “Saint Lucia is an amazing destination that will provide endless editorial content and stunning photography for the readers of La Belle Helene.

Meetings with Embassy Representatives  

 

The SLHTA met this week with representatives of a number of embassies to discuss opportunities for collaboration to address community health issues which can affect productivity in the workplace.  These talks forms the basis for potential public information campaigns and access to products and services to raise the awareness of residents about health concerns which can be transmitted by certain vectors such as mosquitoes.

Potential increase in the frequency of rainfall at this time of the year is not unusual and the SLHTA hopes to honor its commitment to health and safety by ensuring that citizens take extra precautions to reduce water collecting receptacles around their homes so as to destroy potential breeding grounds for such vectors.

In communication to the Ministry of Health this week, the SLHTA complemented the Ministry for increasing it community awareness and information outreach activities and invited the Ministry to have further discussions with the Secretariat on how additional support could be provided to ensure the island maintain its high standards of awareness and precaution over the coming months.

SLHTA hosts Breakfast with Media 

 

On Friday 13th June 2014, Mr. Noorani Azeez, EVP/CEO of the SLHTA had breakfast with a number of media personalities to discuss upcoming activities related to the SLHTA’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations.  The reporters sought the opportunity to discuss a number of other issues, particularly related to the much talked about panel discussion being featured as one of the highlights of the AGM.  The Association’s Annual General Meeting, set to be held at the Sandals Grande on 18th June 2014, will also feature a very popular Linkages in Tourism Trade Show and a Street Festival hosted by the SLHTA’s National Culinary Team designed to capture feedback on the cuisine being entered into the Taste of the Caribbean Competition in the next two weeks.

Region’s Public Sector Tourism Body and Hemispheric Agriculture Agency Ink Cooperation Agreement 

The Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture agree to strengthen linkages between tourism and agriculture

 

Ten years after they began an informal relationship the region’s umbrella public sector tourism organization and the western hemisphere’s agriculture agency have formalized an agreement to strengthen linkages between tourism and agriculture.  The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at a news conference today at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel in New York City, during the CTO’s Caribbean Week, which celebrates Caribbean tourism and the rich heritage and culture of the Region.

As part of the MOU the two organizations have agreed to cooperate in areas that will help improve the livelihoods of agricultural and rural producers through their inclusion in the tourism value chain.

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