Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2019 | Page 22
Celebrating the island’s rich
Kweyol or Creole identity,
Jounen Kweyol is a time to
rejoice with a programme of
cultural demonstrations and
musical performances held
in October. During this time
various towns chosen to host
this festival offer visitors a
wonderful opportunity to learn
more about the French, African
and native influenced culture
and customs of this vibrant
island.
There is also the opportunity
to try tasty Kweyol dishes such
as fishcakes, bwapain woti
(roasted breadfruit) and the
national dish, green fig and
saltfish.
How has your country’s
tourism focus evolved
over the years? To what
extent have those changes
been influenced by the
sustainable tourism model,
if at all?
Saint Lucia’s rainforest is a
wonderful world of massive
trees wrapped in vines, giant
aerial roots, towering ferns,
sparkling waterfalls and a
symphony of birds.
The best way to experience it
is on foot with a well-informed
guide on one of the many
nature trails maintained by the
Forestry Department.
To improving the environment
and preserving the islands
natural footprint, over thirty
percent of the island is still
covered by rainforest.
it’s third year. The heart of the
Roots & Soul festival took place
at Pigeon Island along the
backdrop of the Caribbean Sea.
Special guests included R&B
As of June 1st, 2019, Saint Lucia superstars Ginuwine and Mya,
implemented a ban on the
along with reggae singer
importation of Styrofoam ® and Tarrus Riley performing with
selected plastic food service
Estelle. The festival ended
containers. Any Styrofoam and with a special performance by
the selected plastic food service British reggae and pop legends
containers landed after May
UB40 as a celebration to the
31, 2019 will not be released
island’s 40th anniversary of
by the Customs and Excise
independence.
Department. These items will
be phased out over a one-year
Coming up, we have the Saint
period commencing June 1,
Lucia Dive Fest and Creole
2019 until May 31, 2020.
Heritage month in October.
Any special events and
festivals you will like to
highlight? For the first-time,
through a one-of-a-kind
collaboration, the Saint Lucia
Jazz Festival and Jazz at Lincoln
Center joined forces to produce
the 2019 Saint Lucia Jazz
Festival, which took place this
past May in Saint Lucia.
Renowned as the premier Jazz
festival in the Caribbean, the
2019 Saint Lucia Jazz Festival
Produced in Collaboration with
Jazz at Lincoln Center featured
the finest names in modern jazz
performing in intimate venues
and public settings throughout
Saint Lucia.
The Roots & Soul Festival took
place this past August. It’s an
eclectic concert series now in
What message do you have
for people considering St.
Lucia as their next vacation
destination?
As a destination, Saint Lucia
prides itself on the power of
the experiences it offers - world
class accommodation, cuisine,
renowned music festivals, the
world’s only drive through
volcano, warm friendly people,
jaw dropping vistas and an
atmosphere that is both
relaxing and rewarding.
Throughout the year, visitors will
experience an ongoing calendar
of events to celebrate the 40th
anniversary including parades, sporting
events, horse races, galas and concerts.
Twenty (20) Saint Lucian hotels have
also created promotional packages up
to 40% off that include discounts on
future stays, spa treatments, activities,
and other amenities.
As fall and winter are quickly
approaching, our airline partners
will start operating on the winter
schedules. Air Canada will fly daily
non-stop from Toronto. Westjet will
start flying twice a week direct from
Toronto, and Sunwing will fly once a
week on Saturdays. Getting to Saint
Lucia couldn’t be earlier, there’s no
better time to visit!
Checkout our brand-new website:
www.stlucia.org for upcoming
events, must see attractions and a
complete list of accommodations.
Follow on
This year, Saint Lucia celebrated
its 40th Anniversary of
Independence on February
22, 2019. Before achieving
independence on February
22, 1979, the country changed
hands fourteen times with
seven battles won by the
French and seven by the British.
Photo Credit: St. Lucia Tourism Authority