The Saint Lucian Government has announced plans to nearly double the number of hotel rooms available on the island over the next two to three years.

The announcement was made by Tourism Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire at a regional media briefing at the Sandals Grande St Lucian earlier this month.

The move is part of the nation’s commitment to developing its tourism sector in light of the growing success of its entertainment products such as Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festivals and St Lucia Carnival.

Since 2016 the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festivals has grown in capacity from close to 5000 people to nearly double by 2023.

Speaking with Our Today, Hillaire confirmed that the country is currently in the process of building three new hotels including a Marriott property at Pointe Seraphine, Castries, Dreams Resorts & Spas property, close to the Hewanorra International Airport in Vieux Fort and a Hyatt Hotel in Cas-en-Ban, Gros-Islet.

Hillaire also confirmed that four additional hotel construction projects will also commence within the next three years with the groundbreaking for one of the projects to commence this week. Hillaire says this is separate from the growth in its villas expansion project Collection de Pépites.

Responding to questions about addressing a need for infrastructural upgrades in light of all the hotel projects, and rapid growth of the Jazz Festival Hillaire conceded that it is an issue the Government has tasked itself with addressing.

“it is a challenge for us but the government has announced earlier this year that 2024 is the year of infrastructure and has committed to rebuilding the infrastructure network in St Lucia to improve areas such as water distribution in the south of the island, electricity and the road network,” said Hillaire.

“The fundamental problem for small island states like ours is the financing of development. To borrow money at commercial rates is onerous and challenging for us. To get developmental financing at concessionary rates is almost non-existent anymore and all of our islands face that problem,” he continued.

Despite the challenges, Hillaire says the government remains confident in making strides in the necessary infrastructural upgrades.