Saint Lucia has launched a new programme designed to encourage longer stays on the Caribbean island.
The destination has unveiled its ‘Live It’ extended stay initiative for trips of up to six weeks as it hopes to open up to key source markets such as the UK in the coming months.
Saint Lucia wants to capitalise on demand for longer trips as well as the trend for remote working seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Live It programme will involve participants being paired up with a local tour operator, known as Live it Island Specialists, who will act as personal guides during their stay on the island.
The operator will tailor activities to suit each individual visitor with options such as learning creole cooking, exploring rainforests, diving around reefs, hiking in the Pitons, philanthropic activities and visiting Saint Lucia’s “hidden gems”.
Minister of tourism Dominic Fedee said: “Live it is launching at a time when interest in international travel is renewed in our key markets of the US, Canada and the UK. We are looking forward to welcoming back more visitors when their restrictions ease.
“In a shorter visit, travellers are limited to a few activities but if they stay longer, they get to roam locally, decompress from a year of lockdowns and also work remotely.
“With so many things to explore safely in Saint Lucia paired with the demand for extended holidays, we created this immersive programme so visitors can live like a local, while feeling like a member of the family.”
Live It participants will be able to explore the island freely 14 days after arrival with a bracelet identifying them as long-stay visitors.