TRAVEL

St. Lucia launches extended stay program

With the recent launch of  its ‘ Live it” program, St. Lucia is now inviting visitors ” to stay longer on the island, work remotely and embrace  local life.”

Dominic Fedee, St. Lucia’s minister of tourism, noted that  on short visits ” travellers are limited to a  few activities.”

” But if they stay for longer, they get to roam locally, decompress from a year of lockdowns and work remotely.

” With so many things to explore safely in Saint Lucia paired with the demand for extended vacations, we created this immersive program so visitors can live like a local, while feeling like a member of the family.”

” The ‘Live it’ program is being launched at a time when interest in international travel is renewed in  St. Luicia’s key markets of the U.S., Canada and the UK,” said Fedee

After filling out a free online form, participants in the “Live it ” program are paired with a “Live it ” Island Specialist (local tour operator)  who acts as a personal guide before and during their stay in hotels and villas,  says a news release from the St. Lucia Tourism Authority.

The Island Specialists will “tailor activities to suit, ” such as learning creole cooking, exploring the rainforests, diving dozens of reefs, hiking the Pitons, philanthropic activities or discovering hidden gems that visitors usually can’t find,  the release  notes.

St. Lucia has implemented COVID protocols, providing increased safety for both visitors and local citizens.

After the first 14 days on island, “Live it ” program participants will receive a bracelet that identifies them as long-stay visitors. Starting on day 15, they are free to explore the island while observing standard COVID protocols such as physical distancing and wearing  masks in public places.

For more information and sample itineraries for the “Live it ” program, visit www.stlucia.org/liveit