No. 11 • SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2010 www.stlucia.gov.lc he Government of Saint the US Virgin Islands was the only west coast traffic and also rekin- gressive approach to improving the major contributor to the overall Lucia is deeply commit- two Caribbean islands recording dles prospects for the once existing Saint Lucian tourism product. This growth picture. Arrivals from ted to ensuring a buoy- double digit growth in their tour- market in the Atlanta area. Added includes promoting the island in a this Market shot up by 37 for the ant and vibrant economy ism industry for that period. to these positive developments, more profound and systematic man- first quarter of this year. Minis- Tamidst one of the worst economic Jet Blue began additional services ner and utilizing various avenues. ter Chastanet has expressed his With this trend established Saint down turns that the world has ex- Lucia's Tourism Industry appears at the beginning of May with an The Minister provided evidence confidence in the growth trend perienced since the 1930s. In this to be well poised for double digit increase from three to five weekly of his strategic thinking in market- of the US Market. He was re- regard Prime Minister King and growth during the summer period flights. American Airlines is also ing the island and how that relates cently quoted as follows: “Last his Cabinet are moving to strate- of May to August and indeed for coming on board with a significant to the current positive showing of year we had 9000 seats a month gically position the economy of the entire year. Minister for Tour- increase in flights. AA is upgrading Saint Lucia. Mr. Chastanet present- coming out of the US market. Saint Lucia on the road to recov- ism and Civil Aviation Senator to four flights a week out of New ed the following reflection: “Last This year we are going to have ery through engineering growth, Hon. Allen Chastanet, noted that York. In addition, the morning summer we felt that Mexico would 20,000 seats. The increase in ar- engendering social cohesion and the projected growth is attributed flight out of Miami will now be ser- not recuperate. There was an op- rivals are not only better than building resilience to external to a significant increase in airlift viced by a bigger 757 aircraft which portunity for us to be able to steal 2009 but they are now the best shocks. Tourism no doubt has capacity from key markets like the has an increased capacity of 15 to some market share from the United we ever had. So we have seen a key role to play as one of the United States which was strategi- 188 seats. States of America and we went out real growth.” main pillars in this effort. cally negotiated to cater to travel- Coupled with the positive fig- very aggressively. Once we were It is clear that the hard work The month of February 2010, lers looking for an exciting summer ures for tourism industry arrivals, able to secure the TV show The of the Government and the has seen an estimated growth getaway. the island has been ranked within Bachelor, we then spent a dispro- Tourism Minister in particular of 10.3% in stay over arrivals According to the Minister, Saint a top five rating for an investment portionate amount of funds on the is paying dividends and has compared to the correspond- Lucia also stands to benefit from friendly climate. This assessment US market. We did a strong trade created a strong platform for ing period last year. During the increased capacity from the US has been made by Smith’s Travel campaign in the fall along with a the island’s tourism industry to same period last year an esti- Market by some of the major air- Research, which is an independent major radio and Internet campaign continue on its growth course. mated 25, 262 visitors landed on lines servicing the destination. benchmarking company. in the month of November and we The news of Saint Lucia’s in- our shores as compared to 27, These include Delta Airlines which Saint Lucia’s Minister of Tour- saw immediate results from that. dustry performance is certainly 867 this year. This development is upgrading to a daily service but ism who has the reputation of be- Now, following The Bachelor film- welcomed by all industry part- has contributed to the island are also adding two additional ing a “Go-Getter” is accredited with ing in St Lucia we expect to see the ners as well as the thousands recording an impressive 14.3 % morning flights on Saturdays and many of the current successes with- rewards.” of Saint Lucians who gain their growth for the first quarter of Sundays. This provides the island in the industry today. The Minister The US Market has registered livelihoods directly or indirectly this year. Saint Lucia along with with a vital connection to our US has employed a deliberate and ag- strong growth and is recorded as a from the industry. Office of the Prime Minister, 5th Floor, Greaham Louisy Administrative Building, Waterfront, Castries, Saint Lucia • Tel: 1 758 468- 2111 • Fax: 1 758 453-7352 Page 2 Saturday July 17, 2010 Saturday July 17, 2010 Surgeon, and looks forward to en- joying his school holidays so that 2010 Common Entrance Leaders he can be ready for the next stage of his education. The Ministry of Education is indeed pleased that there was an Celebrating Excellence increase of 1.78% in the national mean of 58.82%, in comparison to the 2009 national mean of 57.04%. One thousand five hundred and eleven (1511) or 53.26% of the candidates scored at or above the national mean, while one thou- sand three hundred and twenty- six (1326) scored below the mean. It is important to note that both males and females attained over 50% mean performances in all the three areas namely English Lan- guage, Mathematics and General Paper. Special mention must be made of the Dugard Combined School of Choiseul which placed first among the public schools with 74.93%, while the Tapion Private School top both the public and private schools with 83.56%. The Minister of Education Hon. Arsene James in his response to the 2010 result stated: “We are pleased that students have this year registered improved per- formances generally. However there is room for improvement in the area of Comprehension. We need to put measures in place to develop the capacity of students do perform better in this aspect”. Sundar A. Jawahir of the The story of these young people Natissa K. Scott of the Camille Carmen Rene Memorial Lovelle W. Auguste of the Leon P. Abraham of the is one of courage, commitment Henry Memorial School 3rd Place/one of the two boys Carmen Rene Memorial School Pierrot Combined School and focus. With continued guid- 1st Place Common Entrance in the top ten 1st Place Common Entrance the other male in the top ten ance and dedication our nation will reap the benefits of prosper- ity and growth, once the right in- econdary education pro- females and two (2) males with so happy, then I stopped and let it and particularly his three year old vestments are made in our youth. vides important opportuni- scores ranging from 95.00% to sink in. I feel really excited.” brother who always cheered him The discipline of these students Sties and benefits of economic 92.33%. Special mention must be made up when he was tired or feeling on serves as a refining fire by which and social development. Both the Lovelle W. Auguste of the Car- of the other students in the top a down side. On the issue of what talent becomes ability and skills public and private sectors make men Rene Memorial School and ten particularly from the out dis- motivated him to excel to the top translated into perfection. This is increasing demands for a more Natissa K. Scott of the Camille tricts schools. They are Shernia C. he said: “when I saw last year’s the recipe from which legends are sophisticated labor force, which Henry Memorial School tied for Joseph from Ti Rocher Combined/ top performer for the common en- nurtured and evolve. is further compounded by the trance, I said to myself that when the number one spot with 96.67% Micoud, Tia K. Joseph of Augier The admission by these young challenges of globalization and my term comes I want to top the each and will both be attending the Combined, Nayoka Raymond leaders, that sport and other forms the growth of knowledge-based island”. “Although I did not come St. Joseph’s Convent. Ms. Auguste of Belle Vue Combined, Leon P. of recreational activity are key fac- economies such as ours. It is clear out first I am very happy about explained to National Review that Abraham of Pierrot Combined tors in their drive and passion to in these modern times, that a sec- she felt so happy, overjoyed and and Kedicia J. Edwin of Augier my performance”. He expresses excellence; is a positive reflection ondary school education is as es- elated to hit the top spot. ‘I want Combined. his thanks to all his teachers from that the sporting and social devel- sential to our survival as the air to thank my parents and teachers The two males in the top ten kindergarten to Grade 6, espe- opment programmes pursued by we breathe. for motivating and preparing me. namely Sundar A.