SAINT LUCIA INCREASES VISITOR ARRIVALS WITH THE ADDITION OF FOUR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS FROM THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

(TORONTO, ON – November 9^th, 2020) – Saint Lucia saw an increase of visitor arrivals this past weekend with the addition of four international flights from the United States and Canada. The island welcomed back the Canadian market with direct nonstop service from Toronto on Air Canada flight (1878).

The highly anticipated Air Canada flight landed at 2:30p.m., operating at 99% capacity. This was the first flight back to the island from Canada since closing its borders to international travel on March 23, 2020 due to Covid-19. Marking the return, Stonefield Villa Resort provided one lucky passenger with a 5-Night stay for two.

From the USA, the destination welcomed an additional three flights with a second American Airlines flight (2296) from Miami, the return of United Airlines (449) from Newark, and JetBlue (363) from Boston. 

As part of the islands responsible reopening plan, Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) has introduced a series of new protocols to ensure guest safety, including a fully staffed nurses station, hand sanitizing stations, thermal scanners, in addition to physical distancing markers.

Ensuring a seamless arrival experience, various teams on the ground directed passengers through an enhanced screening process before advancing through Customs and Immigration. After successfully picking up their luggage, arriving passengers proceeded to the exterior of the terminal, where COVID-19 certified taxis provided transportation to certified hotels.

“We are pleased to welcome back Air Canada to familiar shores, this flight signifies the reopening of the gateway for other Canadian carriers. We are thrilled to again welcome United Airlines and the additional services from Jet Blue and American Airlines”, remarked Saint Lucia’s Minister of Tourism – Dominic Fedee.

“While we navigate this pandemic, we know that at this juncture tourism is really what the world is looking to as an economic driver, and for us here in Saint Lucia, we continue to manage visitor arrivals in a very responsible manner.”

A key part of Saint Lucia’s responsible reopening is the COVID-19 compliance certification process for the accommodations sector.  To date, over (30) hotels have received COVID-19 Certification, which include: Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa, Sandals Grande St. Lucian, Stonefield Resort Villa Resort, Sugar Beach – A Viceroy Resort, Anse Chastanet, Bodyholiday Saint Lucia, Calabash Cove Resort & Spa, Cap Maison, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, Fond Doux Plantation & Resort, Harbor Club, Curio Collection by Hilton, Royalton Saint Lucia, Jade Mountain, Ladera Resort, Marigot Bay Resort Spa & Marina, Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat, Sandals Regency La Toc, Serenity at Coconut Bay and Tet Rouge Resort among others. Visitors can select COVID-19 certified hotels through direct booking, tour operator or airline provider.

A COVID-19 Command Center continuously monitors local and global health updates, assessing protocol options to mitigate the possible spread of COVID-19 for visitors and Saint Lucian communities. Canadian visitors are required to obtain a negative PCR (Polymerized Chain Reaction) test within seven days prior to travel.  To ensure a seamless airport experience, all visitors and returning nationals must complete a Pre-Arrival registration form prior to departure, which can be found on www.stlucia.org.

For more information about Saint Lucia’s COVID-19 response, all protocols and details of requirements prior to entry, please visit www.stlucia.org/covid-19.