The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) is backing the Government’s latest renewable energy reforms, describing reliable and efficient utilities as essential to the tourism sector and the wider economy.
SLHTA Chief Executive Officer Noorani Azeez said the association is prepared to work with policymakers, legislators, utility providers and consumers as the country moves towards reforms aimed at addressing longstanding challenges within the utilities sector.
“Wherever we need to sit and counsel with policymakers and drafters of legislation, as well as consumers and providers, we will do so. We will do so,” Azeez said.
He said the association recognizes the concerns surrounding monopolies while also acknowledging the role that established utility providers have played in maintaining stability, particularly following natural disasters.
“And we all appreciate that while monopolies are not in the best interest of the consumer, we also have to be mindful of those monopolies that operate very efficiently and on whom we have depended on a number of years to be able to bring us back to some level of stability shortly after natural disasters and what have you,” Azeez said.
Azeez said the quality and reliability of utility services are particularly important to the hospitality industry because they directly affect the visitor experience.
“For us, the importance of utilities in ensuring that our guests optimize their vacation experience here is very important, very critical,” he said.
Hotels and tourism-related businesses depend on reliable electricity and other essential services to maintain operations and provide visitors with the standard of service expected of a leading Caribbean destination.
Azeez said the reform process should therefore ensure that utility providers are able to operate efficiently while consumers also receive fair and reliable services.
“What we want to make sure is that all players operate within the spectrum of efficiency and profitability,” he said.
The SLHTA CEO said one of the key challenges for policymakers will be finding an appropriate balance between the interests of utility providers and consumers.
“And so for the Secretariat, striking that balance between the providers and the consumers is important,” Azeez said.
The association’s position signals support for efforts to modernize Saint Lucia’s energy sector while highlighting the importance of ensuring that reforms deliver practical benefits for businesses, residents and visitors.
For the tourism industry, Azeez said, a stable and efficient utilities system remains an important component of the island’s ability to deliver a competitive visitor experience and support economic activity.