By the Caribbean Journal staff

The island of St Lucia is reporting strong growth from its largest source market, according to the country’s tourism board.

Overall travel from the United States was up 4.9 percent between January and April, compared with the first four months of 2015, according to the latest data.

That represented a total of more than 56,000 visitors. April alone saw an 8.6 percent increase in travelers from the United States.

St Lucia is seeing continued strength out of the US market.

In particular, the country saw very strong growth from the Midwest region of the United States, with a 15 percent increase from that submarket.

“It is exciting to see the direct correlation between United Airlines’ new service from Chicago and the increase of American visitors from the Midwest region,” said Director of Tourism Louis Lewis. ”Combined with the ongoing hotel development projects and new direct flights, Saint Lucia is primed to welcome new and repeat visitors.”

St Lucia has embarked on a number of new development and renovation projects in the last year, including brands like Rex Resorts, Royalton Luxury Resorts and the Harbor Club on the Rodney Bay Marina.

That development will lead to more than 700 new rooms by the end of 2016, according to the SLTB.

“Together with our hotel partners we strive to provide visitors with an unforgettable experience, which begins before they even step on the island,” says Tracey Warner-Arnold, deputy director of tourism.