Deputy Prime Minister and newly appointed Minister for Commerce Dr Ernest Hilaire says Saint Lucia’s tourism sector is closing 2025 on a historic high, with record-breaking arrivals and strong momentum expected to carry into the New Year, while major plans are also being advanced to strengthen the island’s creative industries.
In a holiday address following the December 1 general election, Dr Hilaire said his focus has shifted immediately from the campaign trail to national delivery, as he takes on an expanded ministerial portfolio.
“The year 2026 is already shaping up to be even better for tourism,” Dr Hilaire stated. “Based on our data, November 2025 was recorded as the best November on record, with over 36,000 stay-over arrivals, representing a 7 percent increase compared to November 2024.”
He noted that the strong performance is not limited to stay-over visitors, with cruise tourism also set to deliver a significant boost to the local economy in the coming days. “In just one week in December, we expect to host over 36,000 passengers from various cruise lines scheduled to visit our ports,” he said.
According to Dr Hilaire, the surge in visitor arrivals is expected to have a ripple effect across multiple sectors. “Our vendors, taxi drivers, tour operators and creatives all stand to benefit from this anticipated influx of visitors,” he explained.
Turning to the creative sector, the Deputy Prime Minister outlined ambitious plans aimed at modernizing and expanding opportunities for local artists and cultural entrepreneurs. “Speaking of creatives, I would like to take this opportunity to share our ambitious plans for the island’s growing creative industry,” he said.
Central to that strategy is the establishment of a dedicated Orange Economy Unit. “We are planning to establish an Orange Economy Unit at the earliest opportunity, focusing on modernization, training, marketing and exporting our cultural and artistic products and services,” Dr Hilaire revealed.
He expressed confidence in the readiness of Saint Lucian creatives to compete on the global stage. “Our creatives have consistently demonstrated their readiness to showcase what Saint Lucia has to offer to the world,” he said.
Dr Hilaire’s remarks signal a dual focus for the new administration, leveraging record tourism growth while deliberately investing in the creative economy as a key pillar of national development heading into 2026.