Saint Lucia: Ministry of Tourism awards Jassie Thomas, winner of TikTok video challenge

Saint Lucia: Miss Jassie Thomas, winner of the Ministry of Tourism’s TikTok video challenge, and her family were welcomed on August 12 at the Ministry of Tourism.

Tourism Minister, Dr Ernest Hilaire, spoke briefly about tourism as an avenue for career development and creating livelihoods. He also expressed that young people should be selected to be ministers throughout all portfolios.

Miss Nathania Augier, Operations Manager at the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA), presented a cheque for EC $1500 and a complimentary bag of tokens to the new Junior Minister.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Ms Donalyn Vittet, presented the winner with a new laptop, whilst Dr Ernest Hilaire awarded her a plaque. Miss Thomas will also receive a day pass for two to the Anse Chastanet Hotel.

Miss Thomas expressed gratitude for the opportunity: “I would like to thank the Ministry of Tourism for giving me this opportunity to join the competition, along with my school, the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School, the Cadet Corps and my family members. I am looking forward to working with everyone, and I am proud to be your Junior Minister of Tourism 2022/2023.”

The new Junior Minister called the process of putting together the video for the competition a rewarding experience.

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.