 Good morning fellow Saint Lucia's. Today Saint Lucia joins the rest of the world in celebrating World Tourism Day under the theme, Tourism for Inclusive Growth. This theme captures the very essence of the mandate of the Ministry of Tourism and the philosophy of my government as it emphasizes the urgent need to put in people first. Pre-pandemic, there was no doubt that tourism was on a growth path. With 2019 been the record-breaking year for Saint Lucia with over one million visitors. Although noting the growth patterns over the past years, indigenous businesses continue their plea for equity in accessing tax relief and other forms of assistance to create a more attractive climate for local investment. Tourism comprising of both local and foreign direct investment is our most productive sector, which employs over 15,000 persons. It has proven to be one of the most resilient industries, due to its ability to bounce back quickly after natural disasters. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a debilitating effect on the industry worldwide, instantly paralyzing economies due to the high level of dependency on the industry by many countries. When there are interruptions to travel and trade, there is an immediate domino effect on economies across the world, especially in small developing states like Saint Lucia and the rest of the Caribbean. As Saint Lucia continues the management of COVID-19 and sustaining the responsible opening of the industry, we must continue to build resiliency and sustainability. With the reopening of the industry and further development in the COVID-19 era, we must address the distribution of wealth to all the actors within the tourism value chain to increase employment opportunities and reduce poverty. It is the efforts of my government to ensure that as part of employment opportunities, Saint Lucia's become owners and operators of more tourism businesses with a focus on developing strong linkages with agriculture, the youth economy, and the digital age. Already many of us depend on tourism, from our travel agents to airport staff, taxi drivers, tour companies, hotel workers, vendors and artists, villa rental owners, boat operators and water spot operators, beach and market vendors, entertainers, craftspersons, and duty-free shops, just to name a few. The World Travel and Tourism Council predicts that if the global vaccine rollout continues at present pace and travel restrictions are relaxed just before the busy summer season, the 62 million jobs lost in 2020 could steadily return by 2022. Saint Lucia has made great progress in the reopening of the industry, and to date, approximately 8,500 workers have been re-employed. A total of 290 vocation rental properties have been certified and experiencing higher bookings. 35 hotels have reopened their doors and reporting satisfactory occupancy rates. Over 20 car rental companies and over 1,500 taxi drivers have returned to work. The cruise sector has reopened albeit at low volumes. Since the relaxation of travel protocols of vaccinated persons, the destination has recorded a total of 110,116 day over arrivals to date, achieving almost 54% of pre-COVID-19 figures for the second quarter, as well as exceeding predictions by 11% for the overall targets as part of the recovery. Sustainable responsible reopening requires a national effort. It requires that all solutions adhere to the protocols. Build vaccine confidence with strong uptake and focus on taking advantages of opportunities for growth. Over the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to consult with various sub-sectors to gain a better appreciation of the challenges faced and general sentiments of operators on how the ministry can improve its services and provide opportunities for inclusiveness. These consultations will surely contribute to the development of policies and programs moving forward. The intention of the ministry is therefore to set policy and find ways to ensure equal opportunity, increased employment, maximized linkages, reduced poverty and disparities between communities across the island. As we continue to combat COVID-19, now more than ever an inclusive approach is required to ensure that we all return to work to secure our livelihoods and provide for our families. We must all participate in the rebuilding of this sector in such a way that there is greater benefit to citizens and communities and greater resilience in the ability of the sector to cushion against the impact of this crisis and any other in the future. As we celebrate the theme of World Tourism Day and Under Inclusiveness, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all stakeholders within the tourism industry, all the ancillary and emergency service providers and personnel and all other frontline workers who on a daily basis confront the threat of COVID-19. We continue to fight to save lives and protect livelihoods. Together, and putting you first, we will define the future of St. Lucia's tourism industry to cater to delivering the best for St. Lucia. Happy World Tourism Day 2021!