 As we continue to refine St. Lucia's tourism and hospitality industry, data gathering and identifying our needs for training and capacity building will close the gaps and connect the dots between where we are now and where we want to be, ensuring that we bolster our hospitality workforce and businesses to maintain our prestige as a top-tier island destination. It's a national call to action. Take part in the national assessment of training and capacity needs survey rolled out by the Ministry of Tourism, hospitality businesses, stakeholders, vendors, taxi drivers and all other tourism-related operators are invited to take the survey and be part of the movement to shape and refine the future of St Lucia's tourism product. Look out for the survey via email or facilitate one of our authorising numerators via phone call or in person starting Wednesday 23 August 2023. It's a national call to action to participate in the Ministry of Tourism's training needs assessment shaping our future starting now. For more information, please contact 720-2305 or 713-2009. Fellow St Lucia's advocates for sustainable tourism. I have the privilege of addressing you today as the Minister of Responsibility for Tourism and Investment on the occasion of World Tourism Day 2023. Celebrated under the theme, tourism and green investments. Tourism continues to play a very significant role in our society offering the potential to transform lives, foster cultural exchange and drive economic growth. While we reflect on the sector's successes, we must also confront the environmental challenges it poses and the strain it places on our natural resources. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of our tourism sector. The abrupt halt in international travel disrupted economies worldwide, thus highlighting the urgent need for sustainability in tourism developments. It underscored the importance of a transition towards a more environmentally conscious society. The shift towards a more sustainable tourism sector necessitates a systemic approach involving stakeholders across the entire tourism value chain. Embracing sustainable tourism presents us with a wealth of opportunities that we cannot afford to overlook. The UNWTO has identified investment as a critical priority for the tourism sector. It has called for targeted investments for people, for planet and for prosperity. This calls for our government to invest in our people through education and skills, in our environment, through sustainable infrastructure and in our future by fostering innovation to enhance our competitiveness and build resilience, all aligned with our sustainable development goals. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to emphasize that our government is committed to attracting investments that incorporate sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Therefore, I am pleased that DCSFIM underscores the importance of green investments in building a tourism sector that benefits the people of St. Lucia while preserving our environment. Allow me to highlight two significant initiatives that demonstrate our commitment in advancing more sustainability in our sector. Firstly, in 2022, our government introduced the Community Tourism Program, geared towards increasing visitor interests and raising the standards of the island's immersive, diverse and authentic offerings. By focusing on development of high quality community-based experiences, the program creates economic opportunities for our nationals and communities, forces social and environmentally friendly developments and paves the way for innovative initiatives that fuel sustainable and inclusive growth. In addition to the Community Tourism Program, the Ministry of Tourism is working diligently to finalize the Tourism Development Act. This groundbreaking legislation will not only improve the standards in the tourism sector, but also expand the scope of projects eligible for fiscal incentives and broaden the range of incentives available to the sector. Moreover, this bill will also make special provisions for industry stakeholders committed to sustainable tourism practices such as responsible wastewater management, reduction in the use of plastics, use of alternative energy equipment and reduction of the carbon footprint. This bill is not just a legal framework. It amplifies our unwavering commitment to building a greener, more resilient tourism sector. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our borders as we actively explore opportunities with international partners to enhance our green initiatives. By pulling our resources and expertise, we can amplify the impact of our efforts and set an example for the world in sustainable tourism. In conclusion, our commitment to sustainable tourism is not merely a policy, but a pledge to future generations. It is a commitment to preserve the natural beauty of our nation, create prosperity for our people and lead the world in responsible tourism practices. Together, we can write a new chapter in the history of tourism, one where economics stewardship and where the lessons learned from the past challenges guide us towards a more sustainable and prosperous future. I thank you. As we continue to refine St. Lucia's tourism and hospitality industry, data gathering and identifying our needs for training and capacity building will close the gaps and connect the dots between where we are now and where we want to be, ensuring that we bolster our hospitality workforce and businesses to maintain our prestige as a top-tier island destination. It's a national call to action. Take part in the national assessment of training and capacity needs survey rolled out by the Ministry of Tourism, hospitality businesses, stakeholders, vendors, taxi drivers and all other tourism-related operators. I invited to take the survey and be part of the movement to shape and refine the future of St. Lucia's tourism product. Look out for the survey via email or facilitate one of our authorizing numerators via phone call or in person, starting Wednesday 23 August 2023. It's a national call to action to participate in the Ministry of Tourism's training needs assessment, shaping our future starting now. For more information, please contact 720-2305 or 713-2009. Fellow students, citizens of St. Lucia, as your newly appointed junior minister of tourism, I am deeply honored to address you on World Tourism Day. According to the Secretary General of the UNWTO, the power of tourism is enormous, but it is not a force that can be taken for granted. Instead, it must be supported above all with investment. This statement underscores the points that tourism is the lifeblood of the Caribbean region, generating both employment and foreign direct investment. Consequently, safeguarding the sector from the crippling effects of eternal shocks, such as climate change and natural disasters is paramount. Doing so ensures the sustained well-being of our economies and livelihood of people who rely on tourism. Recognizing the importance of investment to a country's economic progress, the theme of tourism and green investment denotes a significant shift away from traditional investment towards a tailored approach that focuses on sustainable growth, environmental protection, and expanding benefits for all citizens. Targeted investments therefore have the potential to boost employment through local businesses, fortify our communities, celebrate our cultures, strengthen our social safety nets, and reduce the environmental impacts associated with tourism. While San Lucia boasts the arrival of thousands of visitors annually, as a society, we must remain mindful of the need to balance the benefits of tourism with environmental impact. In doing so, we move closer to the attainment of sustainable development goals which once achieved elevates San Lucia's status as a destination committed to sustainability and ensuring a more resilient and environmentally conscious people. As junior minister of tourism, I commend the Ministry of Tourism and our industry partners to committing in safeguarding the tourism sector towards responsible sustainable practices. This will be achieved with the Imminent Tourism Development Act, which once implemented mandate tourism operators to their respective operations, ultimately striving towards sustainable tourism certification. Green investments in tourism must be a priority and can only be achieved by advancements in processes and technology with environmental resources and adhering to responsible tourism practices. Ladies and gentlemen, fellow students, let us actively engage in practices that increase our chances of realizing sustainable development goals and hence achieving sustainability of our tourism products. Investing in sustainable tourism not only ensures a brighter future for all, but also emphasizes our shared commitment to protect and celebrate this beautiful island we call home. Thank you and Happy World Tourism Day. As we continue to refine St Lucia's tourism and hospitality industry, data gathering and identifying our needs for training and capacity building will close the gaps and connect the dots between where we are now and where we want to be, ensuring that we bolster our hospitality workforce and businesses to maintain our prestige as a top-tier island destination. It's a national call to action. Take part in the national assessment of training and capacity needs survey rolled out by the Ministry of Tourism, hospitality businesses, stakeholders, vendors, taxi drivers and all other tourism related operators are invited to take the survey and be part of the movement to shape and refine the future of St Lucia's tourism product. Look out for the survey via email or facilitate one of our authorizing numerators via phone call or in person starting Wednesday 23 August 2023. It's a national call to action to participate in the Ministry of Tourism's training needs assessment shaping our future starting now. For more information, please contact 720-2305 or 713-2009.