How Standards Shape Saint Lucias Tourism Experience
Saint Lucia, a tiny island in the Caribbean Sea was so renowned for its beauty that two countries; England and France battled fourteen time for ownership. Saint Lucia switched hands seven (7) times British and seven (7) times French. It was for this reason Saint Lucia was recognized Helen of the West after Helen of Troy. From the drive-in volcanoes to beautiful white and black sand beaches, waterfalls and greenery galore, the island is brimming with potential that attracts visitors from far and wide.
The country’s ability to excel in the tourism industry, however, relies on more than its natural beauty. A large part of the charm of Saint Lucia’s tourism industry is also incumbent on the standards of the accommodation and service available to guests. Imagine landing on this beautiful island full of beaches and lush greenery only to make your way to accommodations that are unsavory or worse still unsafe. To aid in avoiding such experiences and to ensure the continued progress of the island’s main revenue generator, the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards works to develop standards which protects the country’s natural resources while simultaneously shaping and maintaining the quality of our tourism product.
Why Standards Matter in Tourism?
Standards assist in guiding the practices involved in hosting guests within establishments like hotels, resorts, guesthouses and so on. Having these set requirements in place aid in ensuring the health and safety of guests and employees are considered and prioritized. Take for example water supply standards may indicate requirements for the storage and provision of safe and clean supply of drinking and bathing water. This ensure that the guest and staff are not inconvenienced and can avoid illness as a result.
Tourism standards also enable the company to mitigate risks in several areas avoiding reputational damage. In this age of social media, it is imperative to ensure that experiences are of exceptional quality to avoid negative publicity which reflects badly on the business. Standards also assist in streamlining processes, training employees and improving overall operational efficiency of the establishment. This in turn contributes to creating a positive reputation for the business, making their offerings more competitive in the local and global market. Some standards also account for sustainability and incorporate guidelines on ecofriendly waste reduction and energy conservation practices. As it is essential that we consider the effects of the industry on our environment and natural resources in order to ensure the longevity of the industry and the protection of the island.
Understanding the Standards for Accommodation
The operation of tourist accommodation in Saint Lucia is guided by the following national standards:
- SLNS 22-1: 2012 Specification for Tourist Accommodation Part 1 – General Requirements,
- SLNS 22-2: 2020 Tourism Accommodation — Part 2: Hotel — Requirements
- SLNS 22-3:2018 Tourism Accommodation Part 3 Guest houses – Requirements,
- SLNS 22 – 5 Tourism Services – Requirements for home accommodation
Each of these standards set the baseline for requirements on cleanliness, sanitation, facility maintenance, safety measures and basic service expectations. These standards ensure that the experience of guests are safe, comfortable and that they receive quality customer service.
The development and implementation of standards to support tourism accommodations has contributed to an upward trajectory; according to The Central Statistical Office of Saint Lucia, 2022. With growing interest in the country’s tourism product, the standards developed along with the Ministry of Tourism and the SLHTA as experts are meticulously developed to ensure the service and accommodation offered within the tourism sector in Saint Lucia matches up to best practices of accommodations and quality service on a global scale. These standards protect visitors and provide an experience which will:
- Encourage repeat visits
- Grow the market and attract new customers
- Reduce the risks of accidents and illness which may create liability for the business
- Greatly affect the guest’s overall experience
- Support sustainable tourism practices
- Strengthens the local economy
These standards are essentially a protective shield of the country’s tourism industry, ensuring that we are able to expand the industry sustainably. If you are interested in entering Saint Lucias tourism industry and require guidance on processes for maintaining compliant accommodation these standards can be accessed via our website at https://www.slbs.org/.