Allen Chastanet

As a result, Chastenet will also assume the chairmanship of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO).

In naming his choice, Sir John said: “In our drive to diversify and modernise our economy we’ve invested heavily in tourism, both by the private and the public sectors.  This area will, in the foreseeable future, be the lead sector in our economy, providing not only jobs, but also impacting on our social and economic life.

“It is therefore important that we have at our disposal, persons who have the vision, the knowledge and the experience to guide us in this important area of the economy. I have therefore invited Mr Allan Chastenet to serve.

“Mr Chastenet has demonstrated the vision to see the road ahead and to prepare us for the challenges which we will inevitably meet in this fiercely competitive world. St Lucia may e beautiful, but we must realise that we are not the only pebble on the beach, and to meet the competition we must mobilise the best brains and our resources. Mr Chastenet will be backed by a team of men and women who have excellent track records in this field.

“His own interest in this field is no conflict but an incentive from which the entire industry will benefit. He also has the portfolio of civil aviation so he can bring in the planes to fill the hotels.”

Chastenet is owner of Coco Kreole and Coco Palm in St Lucia.

Sir John’s United Workers Party defeated the St Lucia Labour Party of Dr Kenny Anthony in last week’s general election. At the 29th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference in The Bahamas, St Lucia, led by the then minister of tourism, Phillip Pierre, was elected chairman of CTO for the next two years.