AGP Executive Report

Dining Spotlight: Ladera’s Dasheene restaurant has earned a 2026 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, placing it among the platform’s top 10% of listings. The Pitons-view restaurant is open to visitors as well as resort guests. Tourism Honours: Saint Lucia and its tourism businesses collected 38 international awards, including Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon and Adventure Tourism Destination and the World’s Best Corporate Retreat Destination. New Dive Attraction: Below Saint Lucia is set to open in November at Anse La Verdure, featuring 31 underwater sculptures celebrating the island’s heritage. The first phase is for certified divers, with snorkelling sites planned later. Youth in Tourism: Junior Minister Tiffany Jn Jacques represented Saint Lucia at the CTO’s regional youth congress in Guyana, where Anguilla’s Amarni Webster won the top spot. Regional Giving: Sandals Foundation’s Island Challenge raised £100,000 for children’s healthcare in Jamaica, with 30 UK travel-industry participants taking part.

Tourism Honours: Saint Lucia collected 38 international awards across the World Travel Awards, World MICE Awards and World Spa Awards, including Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon and Adventure Tourism Destination and World’s Best Corporate Retreat Destination. Excursion Safety: A commission inquiry into the fatal Anse Cochon boat collision heard that passengers were not briefed or given life jackets, and the vessel left Soufrière without navigation lights. The July accident killed four people. New Dive Attraction: Below Saint Lucia is set to open in November at Anse La Verdure, with 31 underwater sculptures celebrating the island’s history and people. The first phase is for certified divers. Youth Tourism: Junior Minister Tiffany Jn Jacques represented Saint Lucia at the CTO Youth Congress in Guyana, showcasing the island’s next generation of tourism leaders. Local Experiences: Viceroy’s new campaign features Saint Lucia among five destinations, with guest experiences designed around local makers, culture and expertise.

Travel Access: The UK has added Saint Lucia to its visa-required list, ending visa-free entry for Lucian visitors and changing the rules for trips to Britain. Tourism Leadership: Junior Minister Tiffany Jn Jacques represented Saint Lucia at the CTO Regional Tourism Youth Congress, where Anguilla’s Amarni Webster won the top award with a call to develop young talent and tourism jobs. New Experiences: Below Saint Lucia, a 31-sculpture underwater park at Anse La Verdure, is set to open in November, blending national history with marine conservation. A new HelpAWS Puppy Café at Anse Mamin also offers visitors a chance to meet rescue puppies available for adoption. Local Connections: Viceroy’s new campaign features local makers and bookable experiences in Saint Lucia, from reef diving to cultural encounters. Island Profile: Bermuda took the top spot in Condé Nast Traveler’s regional island rankings for a fourth year, with Saint Lucia placing second. Tourism Outlook: Caribbean stayover arrivals rose just 1.9% in the first half of 2026, while cruise visits jumped 11%; regional leaders say better air and maritime links are key to future growth.

Youth Tourism: Junior Minister Tiffany Jn Jacques represented Saint Lucia at the CTO’s Regional Tourism Youth Congress in Guyana, where Anguilla’s Amarni Webster won the top honour. New Dive Attraction: Below Saint Lucia is set to open in November at Anse La Verdure, featuring 31 heritage-inspired sculptures for certified divers and adding to the island’s 22 existing dive sites. Visitor Trends: Canadian retirees are swapping Florida for Caribbean stays, with some choosing Saint Lucia amid safety concerns and rising costs. Local Experiences: Viceroy’s new campaign features Saint Lucia among five destinations, with bookable activities led by local makers and experts. Island Recognition: Saint Lucia placed second behind Bermuda in Condé Nast Traveler’s island rankings, with Bermuda taking the top spot for a fourth straight year. Community Tourism: Anse Mamin’s HelpAWS Puppy Café gives visitors a chance to meet rescued puppies available for adoption.

New Dive Attraction: Below Saint Lucia is set to open in November at Anse La Verdure, with 31 sculptures celebrating the island’s history and people. The certified-diver site is the first phase of a planned three-part underwater park. UK Visitor Access: Saint Lucian nationals have been added to the UK’s visa-required list, ending visa-free entry. Winter Travel: Some Canadian retirees are swapping Florida for destinations including Saint Lucia, citing costs and unease about travelling in the US. Local Experiences: Viceroy’s new campaign features St. Lucia among five destinations, with bookable activities led by local makers and experts. Tourism Rankings: Bermuda claimed Condé Nast Traveler’s top island spot for a fourth year, scoring 1.07 points ahead of St. Lucia.

Regional Rankings: Bermuda retained Condé Nast Traveler’s top Caribbean and Atlantic island spot for a fourth year, scoring 95.24 and finishing 1.07 points ahead of Saint Lucia. UK Travel: The UK has added Saint Lucia to its visa-required list, ending visa-free entry for Saint Lucian visitors, according to a recent report. Visitor Experiences: Saint Lucia’s HelpAWS Puppy Café at Anse Mamin offers coffee and beachside puppy visits, with rescued dogs available for adoption. Tourism Growth: At the Caribbean tourism conference, regional leaders stressed better air and sea links as key to expanding travel across the region. Saint Lucia’s blue-economy businesses in marine tourism can also apply for a final round of OECS grant funding. Island Promotion: Saint Lucia’s Carnival culture and performers are being showcased in Miami through a tourism partnership running through October 13.

UK Travel Rules: Saint Lucians have lost visa-free access to the UK, joining five other nationalities moved to the visa-required list by the Home Office. Regional Tourism: At the CTO’s SOTIC conference, Guyana’s tourism minister called stronger air and sea links essential to Caribbean tourism growth; Saint Lucia took part in the ministerial discussion. Carnival Promotion: Saint Lucia’s Carnival culture, music and performers were showcased in Miami during a tourism partnership running October 6–13. Island Experiences: The HelpAWS Puppy Café at Anse Mamin offers visitors coffee and a chance to meet rescue puppies available for adoption. Travel Rankings: Saint Lucia placed fifth among Caribbean and Atlantic islands in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveller readers’ awards, scoring 96.14.

Regional Tourism: At SOTIC 2026, Saint Lucia’s tourism minister joined regional counterparts in discussions on smarter, more inclusive tourism. Guyana’s tourism minister highlighted better air and sea links as essential to making multi-island travel easier. Carnival Spotlight: Saint Lucia’s Carnival is being showcased at Miami Broward Carnival through October 13, giving the island’s music and performers wider exposure. New Island Experience: Visitors can meet adoptable rescue puppies at HelpAWS Puppy Café on Anse Mamin beach, alongside coffee and snacks. Cruise Updates: Some Castries waterfront upgrades will miss the start of the cruise season, with the Vendors Arcade work expected to continue while ships are arriving. Island Appeal: Saint Lucia placed fifth among Caribbean and Atlantic islands in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 readers’ awards. Funding Opportunity: Marine-tourism businesses in Saint Lucia can apply for a final round of OECS blue-economy grants, with the call launching October 30.

Carnival Spotlight: Saint Lucia is taking its music and Carnival culture to Miami Broward Carnival, extending a promotional partnership for a fifth year and introducing new audiences to the island’s performers and traditions. A Different Beach Stop: The HelpAWS Puppy Café at Anse Mamin lets visitors meet rescued puppies available for adoption, alongside coffee and snacks. Island Stays: A new five-star resort with just nine villas is opening on Reduit Beach, while a travel editors’ guide highlights Saint Lucia’s range of hotels and landscapes. Cruise Upgrades: Castries waterfront work will continue into the cruise season, with key improvements delayed by supply-chain problems. Tourism Outlook: The World Bank forecasts Saint Lucia’s economy will grow 1.1% in 2026, as tourism-dependent islands face high energy and transport costs. Blue Economy: Saint Lucian businesses in marine tourism, fisheries and waste management can apply for a final round of OECS matching grants.

Carnival Goes to Miami: Saint Lucia’s Carnival culture is being showcased at Miami Broward Carnival through October 13, giving the island’s music and performers wider exposure for the fifth year running. A Different Beach Break: At Anse Mamin, the HelpAWS Puppy Café pairs coffee and beach time with a chance to meet rescued puppies available for adoption. Fresh Places to Stay: Saint Lucia ranked among Condé Nast Traveller readers’ top five Caribbean islands, while a new nine-villa resort on Reduit Beach adds a boutique stay with butler service. Cruise Season Works: Castries waterfront upgrades will continue after the season begins, with the Vendors Arcade redevelopment delayed and larger improvements expected next year.

Tourism Outlook: The World Bank projects Saint Lucia’s economy will grow 1.1% in 2026, after a 0.6% contraction in 2025. High energy and transport costs continue to weigh on tourism-dependent economies. Island Experiences: At Anse Mamin, the HelpAWS Puppy Café gives visitors a chance to meet rescued puppies available for adoption. A new travel feature also spotlights Saint Lucia’s rainforests, sulphur pools, Creole culture and outdoor adventures beyond its beaches. Stays and Recognition: A new nine-villa luxury resort is planned for Reduit Beach, while Saint Lucia placed fourth in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Caribbean and Atlantic island rankings. Cruise Season: Castries waterfront upgrades, including the Vendors Arcade redevelopment, won’t be ready for the start of the 2026/27 season; supply delays have pushed the work back. Tourism Funding: Marine and coastal tourism businesses in Saint Lucia can apply for a final round of OECS matching grants, with the call launching October 30.

Visitor Experience: Saint Lucia’s new HelpAWS Puppy Café at Anse Mamin beach lets visitors meet rescued puppies while enjoying refreshments; the dogs are available for adoption. Island Spotlight: Saint Lucia ranked fifth in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Caribbean and Atlantic island awards, scoring 96.14. A travel guide also highlights experiences beyond the beaches, including rainforest, sulphur pools, heritage sites and Creole culture. Cruise Season: Castries waterfront upgrades will not be ready for the start of the new cruise season. Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says supply delays have pushed major improvements, including the Vendors Arcade, to a later season. Tourism Outlook: The World Bank forecasts Saint Lucia’s economy will grow 1.1% in 2026, after contracting 0.6% last year, as tourism-dependent islands face high energy and transport costs. Blue Economy: A final round of OECS matching grants is opening for eligible Saint Lucian businesses in marine tourism, fisheries and waste management.

Cruise Developments: Saint Lucia’s cruise season will begin with Castries waterfront upgrades still unfinished. Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says supply delays have pushed completion to next season, leaving vendors’ arcade and other visitor improvements in progress. Destination Spotlight: A new travel guide urges visitors to look beyond the beaches to rainforest, volcanic springs, heritage sites and Creole culture. Saint Lucia also placed fourth among Caribbean and Atlantic islands in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveller readers’ rankings, scoring 96.14. Resort Offers: Canadian travellers can save up to CA$700 on qualifying Air Canada Vacations packages at Sandals Halcyon and Sandals Regency La Toc, among other resorts, for bookings through October 15 and travel through May 2027. Blue Economy: Marine and coastal tourism businesses in Saint Lucia can apply for a final round of OECS matching grants, with the proposal call launching online October 30.

Culture & Youth: Saint Lucia’s young filmmakers, musicians and culinary talent were honoured at a ceremony celebrating three local programmes, including Junior Jazz and the Caribbean Youth Film Festival. Regional Tourism: Guyana’s tourism minister is urging Caribbean governments to work together on connectivity and community involvement, while an OECS programme is preparing a final grant call for Saint Lucian businesses in marine tourism and other blue economy sectors. Travel Deals: Sandals extended Canadian booking savings through October 15, including offers at Halcyon St. Lucia and Regency La Toc. Cruise Developments: Castries waterfront upgrades will not be ready for the new cruise season, with work expected to continue as ships arrive. Weather Watch: Heavy rain and thunderstorms brought flooding to parts of Saint Lucia; sea bathers and small-craft operators were urged to use caution. New Stay: Bay Gardens’ nine-villa Sapphire Sands brings butler service and a waterfront spa to Reduit Beach.

Weather Watch: A tropical wave brought heavy rain, thunderstorms and flooding to parts of Saint Lucia, with moderate to rough seas and 5–7-foot waves. Visitors and residents should take care in flood-prone areas, and small-craft operators and swimmers should watch conditions. Beyond the Beaches: A new destination guide spotlights the island’s rainforest, Sulphur Springs, heritage sites, Creole culture and family activities alongside its beaches and resorts. Cruise Updates: Castries waterfront upgrades will not be finished for the 2026/27 cruise season, Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says; work will continue while ships are arriving. New Stay: Bay Gardens Resorts’ Sapphire Sands Villas brings nine beachfront villas, butler service, a spa and a Korean-Caribbean restaurant to Reduit Beach. Regional Recognition: Saint Lucia placed fifth in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Caribbean and Atlantic island rankings, scoring 96.14. Resort Deals: Sandals extended Canadian booking savings through October 15, including offers at Saint Lucia’s Halcyon and La Toc resorts.

Weather Watch: Heavy rain and thunderstorms have caused flooding in parts of Saint Lucia. Showers and locally rough seas were forecast, prompting caution for motorists, small-craft operators and beachgoers. Island Appeal: Saint Lucia ranked fourth among Caribbean and Atlantic islands in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards. A new travel feature also spotlights the island’s rainforest, volcanic springs, Creole culture and beaches. New Luxury Stay: Bay Gardens’ nine-villa Sapphire Sands brings butler service and a waterfront spa to Reduit Beach. Cruise Updates: Castries waterfront upgrades will continue into the cruise season, with the Vendors Arcade redevelopment delayed as supply issues slow work. Travel Deals: Canadian customers can save up to CA$700 on qualifying Air Canada Vacations packages at Sandals Halcyon and La Toc, among other resorts, when booked by October 15.