Allen Chastanet

Speaking to the Amsterdam News in the festival's aftermath, Chastanet said the three day event, presented by the St Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA), MACO Caribbean Living and BET J, will develop into a major "linkages" event in years to come, promoting the nexus between tourism, agriculture and art.

"Tourism can only be sustainable by making linkages work," said Chastanet, SLHTA president and managing director of Coco Resorts, which is the home of the annual event. He said boutique, premium and gourmet not only characterize the festival, but point out the direction in which the Caribbean should follow-up in today's era of free trade and the marginalization of the Caribbean's agricultural sector.

"We must make linkages work," said Chastanet, who advised that tourism must be used to promote agro-processed products, artwork, boutique product offerings and premium and gourmet products which appeal to both mainstream and niche audiences. "Imagine if our airport lounges, instead of focusing on international jewelry items, start to feature distinctly Caribbean products?" asked Chastanet, who believes many more people will start to benefit from tourism with some imagination and innovation.

A highlight of this year's event was a rum pavilion, where patrons sampled the region's finest rums and where food demonstrations conducted by some of the word's top chefs, captured the attention of both new and seasoned culinary enthusiasts.

According to author Ian Williams who spoke at the pavilion, many Caribbean countries were missing out on a big opportunity by precipitously shutting down their last sugar growers. They should learn from the French islands where the plantations and associated distilleries were a major tourism attraction, and their boutique rum products were major export earners. Calling rum "the global spirit with its warm, beating heart in the Caribbean," he suggested more cooperation between rum producers, governments and the tourist industry to promote Caribbean rum internationally. Tastes acquired by visitors can help develop export markets abroad. "A tot of rum is good for development," he tells his audiences in the United States.

At night, music fans were treated to the Jazz rhythms of Jamaican Monty Alexander, the Reggae vibes of Third World and the Soca sounds of Montserrat's Arrow.

Media operatives of varying interests covered the festival thanks to Caribbean airline Air Jamaica, Coco Resorts and Sandals Resorts, while festival presenter BET J will produce a 30 minute show on the festival. Next year’s event will be held from November 1 to 4.