 Fellow Saint Lucia's service providers in the tourism industry, my youth, colleagues, a pleasant good day to you. I am humbled for the opportunity to address you today as Saint Lucia's Junior Minister of Tourism to celebrate World Tourism Day 2022. Ladies and gentlemen, the United Nations World Tourism Organizations theme is Rethinking Tourism. This challenge is us to have a more critical look at the tourism industry and do better. Rethinking any sector is not easy. We need new ideas as well as the cooperation of both private and public entities if we are to transform and build a better sector for all. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of the tourism industry and its profound contribution to the economy. My fellow Saint Lucia's, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need to transform the sector by building resilience and sustainability as a tourism destination. During the pandemic, we witness the creativity and innovation among our people, especially vulnerable groups including youth and women. During this period, the Ministry of Tourism noted an increase in the investment among locals in the accommodation and transportation sectors. My fellow Saint Lucia's, let us accept the challenge of Rethinking Tourism. Rethinking Tourism provides a platform for adopting new technologies in changing how we offer products and services to our niche markets such as crews and yachting sector. Rethinking Tourism allows to deepen our appreciation of the role of culture and heritage in the development of our tourism product. Rethinking Tourism also aligns with the government's policy for the youth economy by generating avenues for increased linkages and youth involvement in the economic development of Saint Lucia. I take this opportunity to applaud the efforts of both past and present governments, industry stakeholders, frontline workers and the Ministry of Tourism and Health, the general public who continue to stare at our country, Saint Lucia, on a path of sustainable recovery and development. My fellow Saint Lucia's, let us rethink tourism collectively by focusing on inclusion, sustainability, innovation and preservation of culture and heritage. Again, it is my pleasure in joining the rest of the world in wishing you a happy World Tourism Day. I thank you.