Caribbean News

SAINT LUCIA RENEWS HURRICANE GUARANTEE TO ENSURE WORRY-FREE HOLIDAYS

Consumers Can Book with Confidence at 22 Hotels and Resorts; Travel Agents and

Tour Operators Can Offer Clients an Additional Layer of Vacation Security

TORONTO, ON (August 1st, 2019) – Nearly two dozen hotels and resorts on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia are participating in an expansive Hurricane Guarantee programme ensuring that consumers can book vacations with confidence any time of the year, particularly during the traditional hurricane season (June 1st through November 30th). The program was originally created in 2018.

Located at the very southern tip of the hurricane belt, Saint Lucia is geographically situated far from the designated active hurricane zone encompassing the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Saint Lucia very rarely has hurricanes land on its shores; since 1850 only 14 hurricanes have even moved within 60 miles of the island.

Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority said, “Consumer confidence is extremely important to us in Saint Lucia, so the Hurricane Guarantee is in place to assure our visitors that they are covered in the unlikely instance that an established hurricane will alter their travel plans.” She added, “Based on history and statistics, the likelihood of a major hurricane landing in Saint Lucia is low, but we want our guests to feel confident booking their holiday.”

As part of the programme, individual hotel groups plus hotel operators associated with the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA), offer the Hurricane Guarantee, which covers cancellations made prior to arrival and if a vacation is cut short because of a hurricane.

Hotels participating in the SLHTA Hurricane Guarantee include: Anse Chastanet, Bay Gardens Resorts (five properties), Bel Jou Hotel, Calabash Cove, Hotel Chocolat, Jade Mountain, The Landings Resort & Spa, Marigot Bay Resort and Marina, Royalton Saint Lucia Resort & Spa, St. James Club Morgan Bay, Ti Kaye Resort & Spa and Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort.

Details of the SLHTA Hurricane Guarantee include:

  • If a hurricane warning is issued by the Saint Lucia Meteorological Service (MET), guests can cancel their hotel reservation without penalty. (“Hurricane” Storm being classified as a hurricane category force storm)
  • Hotel deposits may be applied to any future bookings.
  • Group booking cancellations will be handled on an individual basis in accordance with the group contract.
  • In the event that a member hotel is not able to continue its operations due to damage incurred by a hurricane (as determined by the Saint Lucia Meteorological Service), the member hotel will invite the guest to return for a complimentary stay within one year from the reopening of the member hotel.

In addition, the following hotels offer their own individual hurricane policies: BodyHoliday Saint Lucia, Castles in Paradise, Palm Haven, Oasis Marigot and Sandals Resorts (three properties). Terms and details can be found on the individual websites for these hotels.

For more information on the terms and conditions of the Holiday Guarantee programme and offerings by participating hotels, visit: https://34a1ju2gva4u3yrm051vedfb-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HolidayGuarantee-Terms_070219.pdf. Consumers can learn more about Saint Lucia at www.stlucia.org or by calling 1-800-456-3984 or 1-888-4STLUCIA.

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