St Lucia in number one again

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Tourism officials in Saint Lucia continue to bask in news of increasing accolades and recognition being heaped on the island and on the many committed and dedicated travel-trade personnel who function as the heart and backbone of the tourism industry.

The latest recognition comes from thousands of US (North American) based travel agents who again have highlighted the outstanding contribution of one of Saint Lucia’s leading tourism representatives, SLTB’s Regional Manager Lorine Charles-St Jules.

The agents, via TravelAgentCentral.com, have adjudged Charles-St Jules as the ‘Top Supplier Sales Representative’ for 2013. This is the second consecutive year the decorated and accomplished veteran tourism ambassador has copped the first place prize, edging out Barbados and Jamaica who came in second and third respectively.

In graciously accepting the award, Charles-St Jules says that although her primary remit is to expand market share for Saint Lucia, “The job requires a genuine love for the product being represented and it doesn’t hurt at all to love people and interacting with them.”

Concerning her winning a second time she says, “I am honored by this endorsement. It confirms that the travel trade is seeking comprehensive knowledge, loyal partnerships and reliable experience to grow their business.”

In 2012 Charles-St Jules’ sterling contribution to the development of tourism and her unwavering commitment to showcase Saint Lucia as a leading tourist destination was acknowledged by the US based Society of Foreign Consuls.  She was the only West Indian honoree among a short and distinguished list of women from around the world, recognized on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Tourism Director Louis Lewis has extended congratulations to Charles St. Jules, noting that “her love of country and dedication to the advancement of the industry was unmatched.”

Based in the New York metro area, Lorine Charles-St. Jules leads the marketing, public relations and sales drive for the Saint Lucia Tourist Board in the Northeastern and West coast, USA.  In her line of work at the SLTB, Charles-St. Jules has developed deep relationships with trade organizations and travel media representatives across North America, and has served on many industry boards including Area of Westchester Travel Agents, Long Island Travel Association, Caribbean Tourism Organization regional Chapters and Travel Agents of Brooklyn and Staten Island.

A reputed orator and presenter, Charles-St. Jules maintains an active involvement in tourism education and is a guest lecturer at University of New Haven in Connecticut and New York University (NYU) in New York.

She holds a Masters in Development Economics (Tourism) from the prestigious University of Strathclyde in Scotland after being awarded the Michael Manley Academic Excellence scholarship from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).