The sights, sounds and experiences of Saint Lucia were on display in Trinidad and Tobago this week as the island’s tourism officials brought their summer promotion to one of its most important regional markets.

The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority’s “What Kind of Summer Are You?” campaign was promoted in Trinidad by a delegation led by Christopher Gustave, Marketing Manager – Caribbean, Events and Sports, alongside Maria Hunte, Marketing Officer; Ernie George, Sales Manager for the United States; and Thomas Leonce, Chairman of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority’s Marketing Committee.

Through its “What Kind of Summer Are You?” campaign, the destination is encouraging visitors to customise their holidays with experiences such as chocolate tours, boat trips along the west coast and cultural events including the Gros Islet Friday night street party.

As part of the visit, the tourism authority hosted travel advisors, influencers and media at a luncheon on July 9 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain, where attendees received updates on Saint Lucia’s tourism offerings and information on opportunities to promote the destination and earn commissions through bookings.

Speaking with Caribbean Pulse following the luncheon, Leonce said engaging directly with Trinidad and Tobago remains important because of the country’s long-standing relationship with Saint Lucia and its significance as a regional tourism market.

“The Trinidad market is very important to us,” Leonce said.

He said the connection between the two countries extends beyond tourism, with shared cultural traditions, language, music and heritage helping to strengthen the relationship.

“We share a lot. We share a common language and we also share a Creole heritage,” he said, noting that communities in Trinidad, including Paramin in the northwest, maintain cultural links with Saint Lucia.

Leonce said the relationship between the two countries has also been strengthened through years of trade and investment.

“There’s a lot of exchange taking place between Saint Lucia and Trinidad over the years, a lot of trade, a lot of goods from Trinidad are sold in Saint Lucia, a lot of companies from Trinidad are established in Saint Lucia,” he said.

He also highlighted direct daily air connectivity through Caribbean Airlines as a key advantage for travellers between the two destinations.

However, Saint Lucia is operating in an increasingly competitive regional tourism environment, with destinations including Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda also strengthening their efforts to attract Trinidadian travellers.

Leonce said Saint Lucia’s wide range of experiences remains one of its biggest advantages, offering visitors options ranging from adventure and beaches to culinary experiences, festivals and entertainment.

“Whether you want soft adventure, whether you want the beach experience, whether you want a culinary experience, whether you want entertainment or event experience, there is something for everyone in Saint Lucia,” he said.

Through its promotional efforts, Leonce noted continues to attract a wide range of travellers including honeymooners and people coming for Carnival and events.