St. Lucia’s Big Summer Plans

By: - February 2nd, 2017
Saint Lucia Jazz at Lincoln Center

The typically quiet summer season in St. Lucia is about to heat up.

The Eastern Caribbean island has announced a new summer festival circuit called Soleil, including six festivals from May through October.

The new series was announced by St. Lucia Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee at the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace conference in Nassau this week.

“With the new season of festivals, Saint Lucia aims to increase tourism arrivals while also creating opportunities for local artists and businesses that will enhance the visibility of the island as a vibrant and diverse cultural destination,” said St. Lucia Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee. “We look forward to not only celebrating Saint Lucian traditions, but also serving up a summer of fun and entertainment to visitors and locals alike.”

The series will kick off May 12-14 with Saint Lucia Jazz, followed by Roots & Soul June 16-18, dedicated to new trends in reggae and conscious hip-hop; Saint Lucia Carnival from mi-June through mid-July; the Saint Lucia Food and Rum Festival from Aug. 24-27; the Country and Blues Festival from Sept. 15-17 and the Arts & Heritage Festival in October, with the latter aimed at celebrating the island’s cultural, ethnic and artistic heritage with performances, seminars and art exhibitions.

— Alexander Britell in Nassau

News

Southwest Airlines Adds More Caribbean Nonstop Flights

puerto rico bars

Southwest Airlines is continuing its rapid expansion push in the Caribbean in 2017. The carrier has announced that it will add a new nonstop route between Chicago Midway International Airport and San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport. Southwest is also increasing the frequency of its flights from Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Tampa and Orlando […]

News

Sandals Barbados Is Expanding

The Sandals Barbados resort is expanding. Sandals Resorts International has broken ground on the multimillion-dollar expansion of its Dover Beach all-inclusive, marking the launch of construction of an additional 222 rooms and suites at the resort. Sandals made the announcement during the Caribbean Travel Marketplace conference in Nassau this week. Called “Sandals Barbados Phase II,” […]

News

A Hip New Beach Hotel Is Coming to Jamaica

jamaica tourism future

A new beach hotel is coming to Jamaica’s tourism hub. The Spanish Court brand is expanding with the new Spanish Court Montego Bay, slated to open this fall, the company announced at the Caribbean Travel Marketplace conference in Nassau this week. The Criss Group’s newest project will have 120 rooms and suites, most of which […]


What’s Next for Expedia in the Caribbean?

Global travel giant Expedia has been growing significantly in the Caribbean, and it looks like that will continue in the next few years. To learn more about the company’s plans for what it says is a “thriving” market, Caribbean Journal caught up with Mario Ribera, vice president Latin America and Demetrius Canton, director – Caribbean […]

CHTA President: Caribbean Tourism Needs Stronger Partnerships

The Caribbean tourism industry needs stronger partnerships to realize its enormous potential, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association President Karolin Troubetzkoy told attendees this week at the CHTA’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace conference in the Bahamas. Troubetzkoy, hotelier of St. Lucia’s Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet resorts, said tourism had been challenged last year by forces that […]

St. Lucia’s Fond Doux Plantation Is Expanding

Global travel giant Expedia has been growing significantly in the Caribbean, and it looks like that will continue in the next few years. To learn more about the company’s plans for what it says is a “thriving” market, Caribbean Journal caught up with Mario Ribera, vice president Latin America and Demetrius Canton, director – Caribbean […]

Nevis’ Montpelier Plantation Is Celebrating Its 50th Birthday

One of the Eastern Caribbean’s most famous hotels is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. The’ Montpelier Plantation & Beach hotel is celebrating 50 years of hospitality in Nevis. The boutique Relais and Chateaux property is set on 60 acres of lush tropical hills with 19 rooms and suites. The property was originally built as […]