Saint Lucia Ministry of Tourism announces the 2022 Junior Minister of Tourism

Saint Lucia: A TikTok video competition which engaged students between the ages of 14 to 17 on the theme “Why My Island Saint Lucia Is the Best” was launched in June 2022 by the Ministry of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information.

Student of the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School, Jassie Thomas, prevailed with a video depicting various elements of Saint Lucia’s tourism product—that is, the island’s sites, attractions, adventure, crafts, scenery and culture.

Tourism Officer Samantha Charles elaborates on the expected duties of the junior minister.

“The Ministry of Tourism, Investment, Culture, Creative Industries and Information is pleased to announce the assignment of Jassie Thomas as the 2022/ 2023 Junior Minister of Tourism by virtue of a selection made via a TikTok competition launched earlier. Thomas will be representing Saint Lucia at the upcoming Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Youth Congress scheduled for September 15 in the Cayman Islands. Among her ministerial duties upon returning to Saint Lucia will be representation for the youth at Parliamentary sessions, shadowing the Minister of Tourism, Dr Ernest Hilaire; meeting with various tourism stakeholders where appropriate to provide insight as it pertains to the youth involvement in tourism, and also lending support to community tourism initiatives including dialogue with her own community as it relates to the benefits to be derived from community tourism,” the ministry stated

It added, “The ministry is elated to have Miss Jassie Thomas onboard with us from a youth perspective, and we are looking forward to a very fruitful year during her tenure as Junior Minister of Tourism for Saint Lucia.”

The Ministry of Tourism commences dialogue with stakeholders as early as November to plan for the selection of the junior minister during the summer months.