Tourism officials say there was significant improvement in some St Lucia key markets during 2012 including the United Kingdom, despite the recession and increase in the Air Passenger Duty (APD).
However they lament a decline in arrivals in the United States market primarily because of a 20 per cent loss in airlift from North America.
But they expect the matter to be addressed with the impending arrival of a new carrier by the md-year.
Director of Tourism Louis Lewis reported a six per cent increase in the flagship United Kingdom market, “in spite of the Summer Olympics, a recession in Europe and the UK’s Air Passenger Duty”.
He said the Canadian market described as a star performer, was up seven per cent for the sixth consecutive year and shows serious potential.
“The United States market declined by five per cent part of that attributable to a 20 per cent decrease in airlift, although demand for St. Lucia there remains strong. 2013 is starting off on a good note with major operators already seeing double digit growth in the first two weeks in January.”
Lewis said he expects the situation to be further improved with “an announcement to be made shortly of the introduction of a new air carrier” even as he acknowledged that the cost of airlift remains a challenge with St. Lucia having little control over that situation.
However Lewis has expressed concern over an average two per cent decline in visitor expenditure.
The cruise sector was down eight per cent cruise lines re-programmed vessels in the summer months. Yachting on the other hand grew by the same percentage and appeared promising for 2013.
–CMC
