The Week at SLHTA, July 06, 2012

 

Scores of acclaimed hotels and fine restaurants alongside some of the most exciting tours and attractions on Saint Lucia are again preparing to offer their legendary service, warmth and hospitality to an eagerly anticipating local clientele revving to take advantage of the special summer vacation excursion dubbed ‘Staycation.’ The annual summer promotion continues to grow in popularity and for the first time will include spa treatments at some of the island’s leading spa facilities. Staycation 2012 rolls off from July 1 and will run until September 30, 2012.

 

The rollout of Staycation coincides with the launch of yet another exciting summer promotion dubbed Summerlicious; a program conceptualized by the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA), designed to expose both locals and visitors alike to the diversity of Saint Lucian cuisine as influenced by Afro, European, French and Caribbean heritage.

 

Summerlicious features reduced prix fixe (fixed price) lunch and dinner summer menus at some of the finest restaurants island-wide. Patrons can sample a two course lunch for EC$50-$65 and a three course dinner from EC$95, $125 and $145. In addition, all meals include a high-quality signature cocktail made with Saint Lucia’s award winning Chairman’s Reserve Rum. Ahead of the imposition of the Value Added Tax in October of this year, Summerlicious has been hailed as the, “Pre VAT Dine Out”.

 

Tourism Director Louis Lewis says Staycation/Summerlicious offers that unique opportunity for nationals; and in the case of Summerlicious visitors alike, the chance to experience the island’s varied tourism product.  Lewis says, “It is noteworthy to see the excitement amongst the hotels, restaurants, sites, attractions and spas to these two programs as we work together to execute these exciting summer promotions.  The fact that more and more of our tourism partners are eager to participate in the promotions is testament to their success and the value they place on the on-island clientele.”

 

Hotels and restaurants participating in Staycation/ Summerlicious 2012 include both small and large properties and are located throughout the island from Cap Estate in the north to Vieux Fort in the south. A complete listing of Staycation and Summerlicious partners can be found in the weekend edition of the Star and Voice Newspapers.

Cornelia Felix hails from the peaceful rainforest community of Ravineau Choiseul and is described as Fond Doux Holiday Plantation’s exemplary staff member. She was employed as a Tour Guide when Fond Doux Holiday Plantation officially became a Heritage Site offering Daytime Tours and Snacks.Cornelia was always fascinated with the delicious cuisine coming out of the kitchen and was very much interested in adding her own culinary skills to that department. The owners of the plantation saw her enthusiasm towards the culinary arts and presented her with an opportunity to train with the award winning Chefs from the various 5 star hotels on the Island.

Since Fond Doux Holiday Plantation became a Green Globe Certified Property Cornelia has been very passionate about using only the freshest ingredients and locally grown produce on the estate to create her mouthwatering dishes. She is highly skilled at putting her own stamp on traditional dishes, creating new combinations and experimenting with new flavors while being careful not to compromise the freshness and originality of the food she prepares. With over five years’ experience as a culinary chef in the Hospitality Industry, she has never been more dedicated and passionate about producing high quality, creative and innovative dishes for the St. Lucian Public. She has become famous for the Lamontagne Souse Kaye, Chocolate Cake and Custard Pie.

Rainforest Hideaway, established in 2004, is a family owned and run restaurant with Chef Myron and his talented crew in the kitchen creating sublime French/ Caribbean fusion cuisine. It’s the perfect place to spend a tropical night drinking champagne under the stars and listening to live jazz and from the moment you step off the ferry, Åsa and Stephen and the rest of the team will be there to welcome you. Tessie will be waiting in the bar to serve your drinks and when you’ve had time to look at the menu and make your choice, Francis, Imran, Rachel and Aurea will be ready to look after you.Secluded Rainforest Hideaway is accessible only by boat and the two minute boat trip is a lovely way to begin and end your evening escape – it feels like leaving the real world behind! There’s a free ferry to take you across to the Rainforest side of the bay. The combination of fine dining and live Jazz in an exotic tropical garden on the edge of a lagoon teeming with fish, have made Rainforest Hideaway a favourite hideaway for St. Lucians and a popular haunt for visiting celebrities. Rainforest Hideaway is open every night – Live Jazz on Wednesdays and Saturdays with Emerson and the Empress!

The Saint Lucia Tourist Board welcomes travelers looking to rekindle their love this summer with getaways as the island continues to be recognized as one of the most romantic destinations worldwide. Most recently, Saint Lucia was voted number four on the list of “The World’s Top 20 Honeymoon Destinations” by Brides magazines in 2012 and was recognized as the “Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination” from The World Travel Awards in 2011.To celebrate the island’s appeal to lovers, the Saint Lucia Tourist Board has partnered with Diamonds International to offer a signature discount available to travelers booking hotel stays on the island. Diamonds International is creating a special Saint Lucia anniversary collection from their Crown of Light collection and offering a 20 percent discount on diamonds, with an additional percentage off to match the number of years a couple is married, up to 50 years. Visitors who book a romance package at participating hotels and travel to the island starting on June 1st, 2012 will receive their special discount card upon check-in.

In addition to the Diamonds International promotion, a majority of properties are offering special packages providing amenities ranging from couples massages and private dinners, to champagne and sunset cruises. Saint Lucia offers visitors a variety of enchanting engagement, anniversary and romantic celebration getaways with its charming culture, inviting beaches, intimate properties and heart-pumping activities.

Values Added Tax or (VAT) is a tax on consumption. It is charged on the value of imports and on the value added (mark-up) on goods and services supplied by one business to another or to final consumers. It is not a tax on output neither is it a tax on businesses. VAT is designed to ensure that all forms of consumer spending, with the exception of expenditure on exempt supplies, are taxed evenly and fairly. 

The VAT is intended to be collected by VAT registered persons who will include VAT in their prices so that it is ultimately paid by the final consumer. A VAT registered person is a producer or supplier of taxable goods and services who exceeds a given amount of annual taxable supplies of turnover or sales, called the threshold requirement for registration.

 

VAT will be charged on all goods imported (except those Exempted or Zero rated by legislation) whether or not the importer is a VAT registered person.

 

The VAT on inputs includes payments made on imports and other purchases used to make the taxable supply of sales. Under the Bill, a VAT registered person will pay to the Comptroller of Inland Revenue the difference between VAT collected from consumers and VAT paid on acquiring business inputs (including imports which would have been paid to the Comptroller of Customs).