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

2. [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)

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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.)

7. 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.

8. 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

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

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

15. SANDALS AGRICULTURAL NEEDS (weekly)
Fruits
Watermelons lbs
Cantaloupe – 2500 lbs
Honey dew – 2500 lbs
Pineapple – 3500 lbs
Grapefruits – 800 lbs
Oranges lbs
Papaya – 350 lbs

16. 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

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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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).

22. How a farmer incorporates into the Sandals Agricultural Programme?

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

31. THANK YOU
GRACIAS