By Anselma Aimable
Caribbean Net News St Lucia Correspondent
Email: anselma@caribbeannetnews.com

CASTRIES, St Lucia: Senior tourism officials are preparing to visit the UK to attend the final week of the annual St Lucia Month of marketing and promotional activities to be held under the theme "The Future's Bright."

Allen Chastanet, Minister of Tourism will lead the delegation and will be accompanied by Laurie Barnard, Chairman of the St Lucia Tourist Board and Maria Fowell, Director of Tourism.

The week-long trip will include discussions with the Tourist Board's UK-based team, executive meetings with leading tour operators, airline officials and travel agents. Part of the promotional blitz will include select radio interviews, a VIP media lunch and the visit will culminate with a gala dinner for industry partners who do business with St Lucia.

Prior to the delegation's arrival, the Board's UK office the board has been conducting training sessions with travel agents and tour operators to familiarize them with the island's tourism product. The Board will launch a parallel incentive program for agents enrolled in the training sessions and winners will gain a place on a grand familiarization trip to St Lucia.

"The Future's Bright" St Lucia Month is seen as an excellent opportunity to promote the total St Lucia holiday experience. It is also an opportune time to stimulate the demand for bookings to St Lucia for summer 2007.

St Lucia Month of activities ends on 20th April 2007.