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Photo above: Seen at the Toronto launch (from left to right): Hon. Lorne Theophilus, Minister of Tourism, Heritage and the Creative Industries; Ms. Arletta Walcott, Information Officer, Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Toronto; Ms. Lana-Andez Lubon, Sales and Administrative Officer and Diaspora Coordinator, Saint Lucia Tourist Board; Ms. Alison Theodore, Regional Marketing Manager- Canada, Saint Lucia Tourist Board; Mrs. Donna Compton-Charles, Marketing Manager-Brand Development, Saint Lucia Tourist Board; and Mr. Michael Willius, Consul General, Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Toronto. Photo credit: St. Lucia Tourist Board.
TORONTO, Ontario – Last Saturday, March 7, the Saint Lucia Tourist Board launched a dedicated, marketing initiative in Toronto, with the objective of reaching the island’s Diaspora in North America and the United Kingdom.
Called Se Sannou, meaning “it’s our thing” in Creole, the program is designed to strengthen ties with the Diaspora community as a knowledgeable and valuable resource to showcase the island as a choice vacation destination in lead source markets.
“Members of our Diaspora community are in a unique position to share their love and knowledge of their home with other members of the community and any potential visitors,” said Louis Lewis, director of tourism for the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.
“They are an untapped resource who can be passionate advocates and help contribute to Saint Lucia’s leading tourism industry,” he added.
The Saint Lucia Tourist Board will offer dedicated training sessions for members of the Diaspora community who wish to become skilled “Diaspora touch-points”. The tourism ambassadors will also receive a “Sa Sannou” toolkit, marketing materials, merchandise, a quarterly newsletter with trends and island developments, and more.
A dedicated landing page will be included on stlucianow.com/ and an invitation-only Facebook group will connect the Diaspora community and encourage worldwide member dialogue. Prizes will be awarded for lead generation, including the chance to win a family vacation for four to Saint Lucia.
One of the Windward Islands of the West Indies’ Lesser Antilles, Saint Lucia (pronounced Saint LOO-sha) is nestled halfway down the Eastern Caribbean archipelago.
The “Helen of the West Indies”, Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a tropical rainforest and one of the world’s few drive-in volcanoes.
Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint fishing villages along the coastline, and the annual Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival.
The Se Sannou initiative was started in Atlanta on February 28; New York City on March 5; and will be launched in Washington D.C. on March 14.
For more information about the island of Saint Lucia and the Se Sannou Diaspora program, call 1-800-869-0377 or visit stlucianow.ca.
