This Week at the SLHTA, November 15th, 2013

Caribbean Tourism Month – One Sea,  One Voice,  One Caribbean   Friday, November 15th, 2013   In This Week’s Edition 100 Gifts for Xmas Programme Chefs in Schools Continue at Choiseul Secondary School The Landings St Lucia to Host SLHTA Managers Tennis Competition Next Week at SLHTA Another Upselling Workshop Five More Awards for Saint Lucia VIPs Flock to First Annual Triathlon LUCELEC Meets new owners of HESS SLHTA 50 Year Anniversary Quick Links… SLHTA Website SLTB Website Creative Industries Visitor Channel St. Lucia’s Sexy Appeal 8th Wonder of the World World Travel Awards CHTA Website CTO Website Caribbean360 CaribbeanTravel UNWTO Weekly News Magazine 100 Gifts for Xmas Programme As we get set to embrace the Festive Season and what it represents, that of giving, goodwill and peace, our thoughts turn towards you and the meaningful contribution which you have and continue to make in your capacity as a good corporate citizen. It is with this sentiment in mind that Helen Television System (HTS) once again invites members to join them in their 2013 Christmas giveaway programme, which commenced on November 4th 2013. As has obtained over the years HTS has a series of exciting “giveaways” planned for this year. Of interest to you would be the 100 Gifts for Christmas programme.  A spin off from the popular Pop and Celebrate, this exciting and interesting quiz programme gives listeners an opportunity to select a number which contains a question. Upon answering the question correctly the listener is awarded the prize which is attached to the number selected.  By contributing some gifts/prizes to this quiz programme HTS would in return ensure that a commercial and credit promoting your product or company are played when the prize you have contributed is selected and won. Therefore, we request of you, aprize valued at no less than $100.00each, such as dinners, lunches and day passes. The amount can be of a higher value but must not be under $100. We trust that you will join us in spreading much needed cheer during this the season of sharing and caring. As stated earlier we will reciprocate by according you 1 advertisement/spot and credit every time a listener wins a gift supplied by you. Contact Ms. Zina Haynes for more information at  marketing@slhta.com   All the very best for the season and here’s wishing you continued success in the coming year. In Other Tourism News: Chefs in Schools Programme Programme brought to you by: Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) SLHTA Hotel members continue to support the Secondary School Outreach programme now in its second year. Today, Friday 15th November 2013, Chefs from Cap Maison Hotel and Anse Chastanet/Jade Mountain visited the Choiseul Secondary School to participate in this programme. The Chefs included: Larry Monrose – Anse Chastanet Elijah Jules – Jade Mountain Nicodemus Joseph – Cap Maison Reefer Leonce – Cap Maison Allan Jn Baptiste – Cap Maison As some may know, the aim of this programme is to educate and support Secondary School students with an interest in the Hospitality Industry, specifically the Culinary Arts and/or Food & Beverage field. The two hour exercise guided students in the process of preparing a two course meal with the assistance of an experienced Chef. Next week Friday, the programme continues at the Marigot Secondary School.  The SLHTA encourages and invites members to be part of this exciting programme.  This programme is coordinated by Mr. Wendel George and can be contacted at info@slhta.com. The Landings St Lucia hosts’ SLHTA Managers Lawn Tennis The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) will host another exciting event at the Landings St Lucia, SLHTA Manager’s Lawn Tennis Competition.  The SLHTA is keen on ensuring that our activities reach employees from all departments and at all levels. One of the focuses of the SLHTA Sports is to encourage camaraderie among members of staff and also to create better networking opportunities between member establishments. The Managers Tennis competition is expected to take place onSaturday 23rd November 2013 from10:00am. The facilities at the Landings St Lucia makes it a perfect location to host such an event.  The Tennis Club at the Landings features two floodlit Tennis courts and an on-site Tennis Professional for both private and group tuition. Get to know the Landings St Lucia a little better…Click Here!! Champions so far…   Cricket – Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort   Football – Sugar Beach A Viceroy Resort What Happen: Next Week At SLHTA SLHTA VAT Committee Meeting Mr. Noorani Azeez to attend 128th Annual General Meeting of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Small Hotels VAT Sector Meeting to be held at Lantana Conference Room, Bay Gardens Hotel. DMC’s Tour Service Providers and Boat Charters Meeting taking place at Bay Gardens Hotel Chefs in Schools Programme at the Marigot Secondary School  SLHTA The Art of Upselling Workshop The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) is pleased to announce the commencement of another round of training titled “Art of Up Selling” workshop for its members.  This workshop will take place at the conference room of the SLHTA  on Thursday 28th November 2013 from 9:00am – 4:00pm and will be facilitated by Mr. Joseph Dubois.  Training materials, lunch and coffee break will be provided for participants.   Up-Selling is a sales technique whereby a seller induces the customer (guest) to purchase more expensive items, upgrades, or other add-ons in an attempt to make a more profitable sale. Up-selling usually involves marketing more profitable services or products but can also be simply exposing the customer (guest) to other options that were perhaps not considered previously.  Whether you’re a Sales Agent, a Wedding Coordinator, a Photographer or a Loans Director, this technique is an unquestioned, immediate profit generator.   The cost to attend this workshop is EC$250.00 per person.  Due to space limitations, interested participants are encouraged to register and settle payments before Thursday 21st November 2013.  Upon completion, participants will receive a ‘Certificate of Participation’.  Interested persons are invited to contact Mr. Wendel George atinfo@slhta.com for more information and to confirm your participation.   Members are encouraged to register early.  Thank you for your kind attention. Saint Lucia Picks Up Five More Awards   London (November 10, 2013) – The beautiful island of Saint Lucia continues to be recognised in key award categories with five of the island’s hotels receiving recognition at the Virgin Holiday Awards.  Launched in 2004, the prestigious awards are run during World Travel Market and pay tribute to some of the world’s leading hotels.   Responding to news of the award win, Louis Lewis, Director of tourism for Saint Lucia says:”This award has capped off a good year for Saint Lucia with a number of significant highlights.  It is a great honour that many of our hotels have been recognised by one of the largest tour operators to the Caribbean in what is a very competitive industry.   The winners were: St James Club, Morgan Bay St Lucia The BodyHoliday, Le Sport East Winds Inn Sandals Resorts International Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa   For more information on Saint Lucia, visit www.stlucia.org VIPs Flock to First Annual Saint Lucia Triathlon    For the first time in its history, the beautiful island of Saint Lucia will stage the inaugural St Lucia Triathlon attracting a host of VIPs.   As well as event ambassador and Double Gold Olympic champion Daley Thompson, event organisers Human Race are pleased to welcome Governor General Her Excellency, Dame Pearlette Louisy who will present awards to winners at the prize giving ceremony on the 23rd Nov.   The event also has the honour of the Minister for Tourism Lorne Theophilus being present and also seeing Louis Lewis (Director of Tourism for the island) taking part in the triathlon. This stellar line up is complimented by the presence of IOC member and St Lucian, Richard Peterkin.   Event director, John Lunt added: “We are delighted to welcome so many fantastic VIPs to the first ever St Lucia Triathlon. I would like to thank them for their support and look forward to seeing lots of locals and tourists taking part in the triathlon on the 23rd.”   Tri St Lucia 2013 will be the culmination of a week-long festival of fun activities hosted at Rodney Bay in the North west of the Island. Events including an ocean swim, an Aquathlon (swim and run) and a beach run. Designed with all ages and fitness levels in mind, these activities will provide holidaymakers, and locals, with a taste of the overall triathlon event, offering families, couples and single people the opportunity to take part.   With three separate competitive distances available, including relays, the course includes a swim in the beautiful clear waters of Rodney Bay, a tough hilly volcanic bike ride and finally, a flat run to Pigeon Island and back,  Event distances include: The Dagger: 200m swim, 6.6km bike, 2.5km run The Pistol: 750m swim, 13.2km bike, 5km run The Cutlass: 1500m swim, 26.4km bike, 10km run For the Children’s events there will be a 100m swim, an 800m bike and an 800m run as their challenge. It’s not too late to book your place. For more info go to:www.tristlucia.lc LUCELEC  Meets New owners of ‘Hess’ terminal   There should be no major changes in the business relationship between St Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) and the Hess Terminal at Cul De Sac, now under new ownership. So says LUCELEC Managing Director Mr Trevor Louisy following a meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 between LUCELEC and the President and CEO of Buckeye Partners Mr Clark Smith and Senior Vice President/President, International Pipelines and Terminals of Buckeye Caribbean Mr Khalid Muslih. The LUCELEC Team included Business Development Manager Mr Victor Emmanuel and Chief Engineer Mr Goodwin D’Auvergne. This was the first meeting between the two parties. It follows the sale of the Hess Terminal to Buckeye Partners LP. LUCELEC purchases the oil used to fuel its business from the Hess Terminal located next to its lone generating plant in Cul-de-Sac. Mr Louisy says the meeting was very cordial with LUCELEC described as a “special local customer” of the worldwide company.   “They’ve indicated to us there are no plans to change the current business relationship that we have with the Hess Terminal. In fact, they are looking to see if there are opportunities for them to improve on the business relationship and see if there are any other areas or products or services that we may be willing to discuss with them,” says Mr Louisy. The meeting was held at the Cul-de-Sac Power Station. Following the meeting with LUCELEC, the Buckeye Partners team were scheduled to meet with Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny Anthony. SLHTA Celebrates Fifty Years (50yrs) Friday 22nd November 2013marks 50 years since the establishment of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA).   Over the past fifty years the St. Lucia Hotel Association as it was known then has gone through major changes and today members have seen more and more benefits and opportunities for growth. The Association has grown from the St Lucia Hotel Association to the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association to include a more diverse membership base to include Allied and even Honorary Members.  The following are a few Events and activities undertaken by the SLHTA from its establishment in 1963:   CHA Small hotels Retreat – (on two occasions)  held in St. Lucia CHA Board of Directors meeting  – held at Cunard La Toc (Sandals La Toc Golf Resort & Spa) SKAL Club  a social get together initiated by President Bernd Ludwig First Caribbean Tourism Pageant held in St. Kitts won by Camille Greer – a MISS SLHTA winner Rhythm & Spice festival from 2007 Taste of St. Lucia (one big bash at Pointe Seraphine) organized by Richard Michelin   Hosted  reception for opening of Jazz Festival  hosted for a number of years 10K Race from the Ramp at Reduit to Pointe Seraphine Walk for Tourism  from Vigie Field to the Ramp at Reduit MISS SLHTA Pageant from 1991 to present School Debating Competition during SLHTA’s 20th Anniversary Sponsored two (2) carnival queen contestants 1980 and 1984   Collective Bargaining for large hotels with National Workers Union (Winhall Joshua)   Macarena Party Fundraising event at Indies Nightclub   Father’s Day Bash Chef Harry’s Anse Jambette in Canaries – for a number of years Jazz Celebrity Party for a number of years – the Wednesday preceding main stage jazz (fundraising) with themes such as  “Bare as you dare” and “Sea and be seen” (organized by Berthia Parle) Annou Tjuit Sent Lisi (Lets Cook St Lucia) Long before CHA’s Taste of the Caribbean the SLHTA had for years organized a local culinary competition between chefs of hotels and a few restaurants (as many as 15 participants at a time)  Celebrity Chefs regional and international were invited to judge the competition . This was followed by a gala awards dinner. Jazz Booth at Pigeon Point a fund raising activity to supplement membership dues   Aqua Action  1992 to 1994   Tourism Symposium Two sessions organized by the SLHTA