 Coming to you from RGIS Studios, I am Anicia Antoine and this is your media news brief. St Lucia's Minister for Tourism, Information and Broadcasting, Culture and Creative Industries, Honourable Dominic Fede, says regrettably the government has accepted the decision by British carrier Virgin Atlantic Airways to seize operations to St Lucia. Honourable Dominic Fede reveals that government has been in dialogue with Virgin Atlantic Airways for the past few months, with the view of sustaining the existing flight service from London-Gatwick to Uranora International Airport. However, Virgin Atlantic was adamant that 20 million EC dollars or 7.5 million US dollars would be required to maintain 5 weekly flights in the winter months and 3 weekly flights in the summer months. Virgin Atlantic represents 7% of total global arrivals in St Lucia. In the marketplace, St Lucia remains a destination of choice for British travellers. As such, government has opened dialogue with at least one other carrier to fill the void. Honourable Dominic Fede indicated that government will continue to engage Virgin Atlantic to arrive at a mutually beneficial relationship in the future. With a contingent of 80 individuals, Team St Lucia is hoping to make a statement with its presentation at Cara Festa 14. With a mix of theatre, musical, literary arts, performance poetry, traditional performances, visual arts, craft and fashion, the Cultural Development Foundation says this year its participants understand clearly the intention of the festival. This year's presentation will include performances of La Voz and Masquerade as well as a little folk tale. The Cultural Development Foundation is thankful for the contributions of all those who have infested in this year's participation, including the government of St Lucia in particular, the minister responsible for culture and creative industries, Senator Honourable Fortuna Bella Rose. Cara Festa 14 will take place in Trinidad and Tobago from the 16th to the 25th of August 2019. The St Lucia Tourism Authority, FLTA, topped off the 7th annual St Lucia Showcase North America with the Inspiro Gala Awards Dinner. From the Latin word Inspiro, which means to inspire or excite, travel partners continue to entice visitors to explore all that St Lucia has to offer. Top achievers for the year 2018-2019 were recognised for their outstanding contributions to St Lucia's tourism industry. Tour operators remain a viable and important part of SLTA's distribution strategy. Backed by the support of the local destination management companies, on Thursday, July 24th, travel partners earned awards in 13 categories for outstanding contribution to St Lucia's tourism with the highest sales in Room 9. SLTA's Chief Executive Officer Beverly Nicholson Dotty expressed gratitude to them for their continued partnership, commitment and dedication. This has been your media news brief. Thank you for watching.