Tourism- Agriculture Linkages A Working Model of Hotel - Farmer Cooperation - St. Lucia Eustace Vitalis (Sandals Resorts)

[1] Caribbean Tourism Organization (2005) TOURISM SECTOR The tourism industry on the other hand has increased its activity significantly over the years surpassing in GDP contribution of the once dominating agricultural sector. In the wider region, the tourist industry forms 31% of GDP, employing over 1 million people. Investments within the industry have been significant and plans are for further investments in a number of OECS countries. [1] Caribbean Tourism Organization (2005)

Issues Inappropriate organization in the sector; Reduction in the level of financing; and Absence of a formalized business approach to agricultural production and marketing.

Constraints Limited knowledge of the market place by producers; Limited access to suitable lands, high cost and low productivity of labour, inadequate supply of quality planting material, infrastructure, etc.; Constraints in the air and sea transportation systems; and Weak institutional capacity at all levels within the sector.

New and Ongoing Initiativies Opportunities New and Ongoing Initiativies Culinary – Food festivals (Fish fries in St. Lucia, Dasheen festival in Dominica) Farm-based tours (eg. Organic farming at Exotica, Dominica) Protection and preservation of traditional practices and lifestyles – particularly with indigenous peoples Herbal usage in spas and by products Agro-heritage (eg. Mamiku and Fond Doux in St. Lucia, Belmont Estate in Grenada, etc) Sharing of experiences between countries of Latin America and the OECS through farmer’s exchange programmes Increase intra-regional trade

Threats Globalisation and trade liberalization Vagaries of nature Insensitive approach by hotel purchasers of local produce Failure to comply with market requirements Absence of effective information systems about needs of market and production capacity Lack of appropriate policies and an institutional base to nature and sustain linkages between the two sectors Absence of appropriate infrastructure (pack houses, storage facilities, etc.)

Threats - Continued Failure to implement appropriate policies Changing government policies Praedial larceny Hotels, especially small properties, struggling under high cost and fierce competition Regional airlines under threat Environmental costs due to undesirable and unregulated practices Establishing formal relationships between the agriculture and cruise sector.

SELECTED TOURISM STATISTICS   1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 p TOTAL ARRIVALS 563,632 629,598 621,001 726,254 746,466 648,364 683,005 719,151 719,844 669,154 TOTAL VISTOR ARRIVALS 253,369 257,530 269,768 282,703 256,554 261,184 289,765 309,872 325,480 309,561 STAYOVER/TOURIST ARRIVAL 278,406 252,237 263,793 269,850 250,132 253,463 276,948 298,431 317,939 302,510 NUMBER OF ROOMS AVAILABLE 4,014 4,077 4,125 4,428 3,749 3,974 4,556 4,737 NUMBER OF BED-PLACES AVAILABLE 7,546 7,705 7,768 8,236 6,748 7,153 8,201 8,681 VISITOR EXPENDITURE (MILLIONS EC$) 766 765 740 752 629 567 762 879 961 768 Source: St. Lucia Tourist Board

Agriculture Tourism Linkages Presenter: Eustace Vitalis Saint Lucia (W.I) Presenter: Eustace Vitalis

SANDALS - LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED RESORTS IN ST. LUCIA Name # of Rooms Sandals Regency Beach & Spa 327 Sandals Grande Beach & Spa 283 Sandals Halcyon 170 TOTAL 780

SANDALS AGRICULTURAL NEEDS (weekly) Fruits Watermelons 2500 - 3000 lbs Cantaloupe 2200 – 2500 lbs Honey dew 2200 – 2500 lbs Pineapple 3000 – 3500 lbs Grapefruits 600 – 800 lbs Oranges 800 - 1000 lbs Papaya 300 – 350 lbs

Vegetables Romaine Lettuce 2200 – 2500 lbs Tomatoes 1770 – 2000 lbs Cabbage 600 – 800 lbs Squash Zucchini 600 – 800 lbs Green Bell Peppers 540 – 600 lbs Yellow Bell Peppers 450 – 500 lbs Red Bell Peppers 540 – 650 lbs Tomatoes 1770 – 2000 lbs

Roots & Tubers Yams 800 – 1000 lbs Dasheen 800 – 1000 lbs Sweet Potatoes 900 – 1200 lbs

Sandals Agriculture Programme Program started in November 2002 Total # of suppliers/farmers -50 + # of Farmers Organization - 2 Over 75% of farmers are women

Activities Undertaken Training for Purchasing Clerks and Receivers by CARDI & MAFF Topic: Post –harvest Handling of Fruits, Vegetables and Root Crops Areas covered What are fruits, vegetables and root crops Climacteric vs Non Climacteric fruits Maturity Indices Components of Quality Minimum Quality Standard Requirements for Hotel Selection Transportation and Handling Packaging Storage Food Safety Issues

Activities Undertaken Regular Visits to Farms by Chefs and kitchen staff Discussions with farmers/suppliers on issues of traceability Preparation of Project Proposal for funding from the EU – Pending Key Issues of concern: Production Scheduling Agric-Business Management Developing and updating a Farm Plan Record-Keeping Good Agricultural Practices/OECS GAP Quality Standards and HACCP Crop Estimating/Forecasting Production Estimating Cost of Production

Activities Undertaken Farmer Appreciation Luncheon (Dec 2003) Total of over 50 farmers with spouse/partners attended along with Minister of Agriculture, Rep. of Ministry of Tourism and Representatives of key Agricultural Agencies (CARDI. IICA, SLAA, etc).

How a farmer incorporates into the Sandals Agricultural Programme?

FARMER SHOWS INTEREST IN PROGRAMME MAFF CERTIFICATION SANDALS AGRI OFFICER VISIT TO FARMS CLEARENCE TO JOIN PROGRAMME

THANK YOU GRACIAS