Saint Lucia recently exhibited to more than 25,000 travel trade and potential visitors at Martinique’s largest international trade show, Salon du Voyage.

The 20th edition of the Travel and Holiday trade show held at the Palais des Congrès de Madiana in Schoelcher, Martinique, saw scores of attendees lined up at the venue awaiting its opening, with Martiniquans seeking to travel making up 40 percent of the show's audience.

Many of the attendees expressed high levels of interest in Saint Lucia Jazz and the Mercury Beach event.

Eight hoteliers (Bay Gardens Resorts, The Landings Resort and Spa, Royalton Saint Lucia Resort & Spa, Marigot Bay Resort and Marina by Capella, St. James's Club Morgan Bay, Rex Royal Resorts, Alize Inn and Marigot Beach Club and Dive Resort) partnered with the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) to showcase the destination and its product. Hoteliers offered special rates during the event which resulted in every single hotel registering sales at the show.

Salon du Voyage is a key event on the SLTA calendar as Martinique is Saint Lucia’s single largest regional tourism-generating market, which during 2017 generated 30,302 visitors 9.6 percent higher than 2016.

Recognizing the opportunities for growth within the French Caribbean, the SLTA has strengthened its presence with the appointment of Annie Lefroy as Marketing Manager for the French Caribbean. Commenting on the significance of Salon du Voyage to Saint Lucia, the SLTA Marketing Manager said: “Our shared history, culture and proximity make the island a destination of choice for Martiniquans. We are very pleased with the level of support and interest that we have received at the show and look forward to strengthening our ties with our sister island.”