The word is out, St Lucia is the place to be. And why not, St Lucia happens to be a gem among the Caribbean Island. Being one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean due to its superb beaches and amazing weather, known well for the picturesque twin peaks of the Pitons to picture perfect fishing villages and from world only walking volcano "Sulphur Springs" to some of some of the most breath-taking beaches and small water falls you will ever see. We already host a great number of world-class hotels and resorts and there are a great number to come.

The Reserve
Unlike other large developments on the island, The Reserve offers just 7 luxurious waterfront residences with two and three bedrooms with a large swimming pool hidden in a 12’000 sq ft. lush tropical garden. The Reserve steps from a private marina where yachts can be safely moored, ready to let you cruise around the Caribbean’s wonderful inlets.

http://thereserve.inconnet.com/

The St. Lucia Jazz Festival is advertised as the "Best Party in the Caribbean". George Wein, producer of 30 festivals worldwide, ranked St. Lucia Jazz among the top three festivals in the world, while the late Grover Washington Jr. placed St. Lucia Jazz among the best he’d ever attended.

The event rakes in millions of dollars a year in visitor expenditure that covers accommodation, transportation, meals and even handicraft sales, which earned a whopping two million dollars in 2006.

In 2000, eight years after its inception, officials expanded the event to encourage more public involvement. "The fringe activities" were born, bringing free jazz concerts to the whole island.

First came "Jazz on the Square" a collaboration of the Tourist Board and the local Chamber of Commerce. The week-long, open-air concert in the middle of the capital Castries at the Derek Walcott Square, offered working stiffs a chance to enjoy jazz music during their lunch hour.

Officials in the south launched "Jazz in the South" organizing jazz concerts in Vieux Fort, at the Rudy John Beach, the town square and at an old plantation estate – Balenbouche.

These concerts provided a stage for local artistes and afforded residents the opportunity to enjoy the talents of regional and international performers.

The Balenbouche concert, steeped in history and to-die-for atmosphere, had to stop in order to preserve the historical landmark. In 2006, this leg of the concert was relocated tothe town’s secondary school campus bringing to life "Jazz at the Campus".

Fond d’Or Jazz set in the coastal fishing village of Dennery combines the picturesque beauty of a natural amphitheatre setting with the warm hospitality of villagers. This is one of the most successful fringe events. Now into its seventh year, Fond d’Or Jazz is touted as a family affair, accomplishing its commitment to bring jazz to the people.

There’s "Jazz on the Beach" at the Reduit Beach - put on by the Rex St. Lucian, Papillion and the Royal St. Lucian – a beautiful venue that allows patrons to enjoy free open-air jazz. The audience is invited to wear bathing suits and other skimpy wear.

"Jazz on the Green" at the Cap Estate Golf and Country Club, features a golf tournament in honour of the late Tourist Board Chairman, Desmond Skeete. It is set to the background of jazz performed by international musicians.
Bocage Jazz was launched in 2002. This show targets the residents of the rural area of Bocage and takes place at the community school.

Kirby Allain, Public Relations Officer of the Tourist Board says these decentralized concerts make St. Lucia Jazz "a true St. Lucian experience. Visitors and locals are guided into various venues around the island; areas such as Fond d’Or that they might not normally visit."

Another successful event of St. Lucia Jazz is a four-day concert at the duty-free shopping complex of La Place Carenage, in the middle of Castries.

The shopkeepers of the deluxe shopping centre host a late afternoon programme entitled "Tea-Time Jazz". This showcases the talents of local and regional artistes, and permits patrons coming from Jazz on the Square to prolong the fun by walking over to La Place Carenage.

"Jazz on the Pier". This event is a one-shot affair, held on the Friday before the climactic end of St. Lucia Jazz. Today, St. Lucia Jazz benefits the economy of the entire island.

Jazz Decentralized

By Sharon Williams 

St. Lucia has only one 18-hole golf course, for now. The St. Lucia Golf and Country Club at Cap Estate is a 71-par championship course, and one of the finest in the Caribbean. However, the national development plan calls for up to 4 golf courses in St. Lucia.

"Golfing is about a destination and not a golf course," says Lawrence Samuel, the Chief Operations Officer at the St. Lucia Golf and Country Club. 

His organization has taken the initiative and already plays host to several popular regional and international tournaments that attract hundreds of neighbouring Caribbean teams.

The Desmond Skeete Memorial Tournament is held during the St. Lucia Jazz Festival season, in the month of May. This charity tournament attracts dozens of local and regional teams. Upon completion of the 18-hole competition, golfers are treated to a live concert entitled Jazz on the Green.

 
The St. Lucia Golf Open is a two-day 36-hole tournament that draws teams from all over the Caribbean. It features several titles, naming champions in the five categories of Men, Women, Junior, Senior and Super Senior.

The Rotary Club of Gros Islet Golf Tournament is held in November. The Caribbean Hotel Association Tournament and the Inter-Island Club Tournaments add to the tournament calendar on the island.

However, the most exciting event is the Sir Vivian Richards Golf Tournament, played under the auspices of this West Indian "Living Legend" of Cricket – otherwise known as the "Master Blaster". The Sir Vivian Richards Golf Tournament is held annually to coincide with the tour of the visiting international test cricket team. Most of the participating golfers are recognized cricketing champions or well-known international cricket media personalities.

Chris Harries, Director at the St. Lucia Golf Resort and Country Club, revealed that major cricketing heroes such as Jeff Dujon, one of the region’s best wicket-keepers ever, Gordon Greenidge, Ian Bishop, Ian Botham and Sir Garfield Sobers have all participated within the last 2 years.

"Last year, six ex-captains of the English test cricket team entered the tournament," noted Harries. "Fans came to the golf club in droves and were amazed to get so close to their cricket heroes."
The potential of this event has yet to be fully exploited.

"This sport’s icon has lent his name free of charge to this tournament and has participated every year. The competition needs more exposure," says Reds Perreira, Sports tourism officer at the St. Lucia Tourist Board.
Lawrence Samuels agrees but he says that the golfing infrastructure needs to improve.

"The Sir Vivian Richards tournament should be played on a different course every year," he says. "When golfers go to a golf destination, they want to play two or three courses, not just stay on one."

The next five years promises to be exciting for golf in St. Lucia. Major projects will come on stream. Cap Estate is poised to welcome the island’s premier Jack Nicklaus 18-hole signature golf course, the Pointe at Cas en Bas. This course will be accompanied by luxury villa and condominium residences as well as a five star hotel. Completion is scheduled for 2009.

The developers of the Westin Le Paradis Beach and Golf Resort on the rugged eastern coastline of St. Lucia announce a January 2008 launch. Encompassing a one-mile stretch of shoreline and 600 acres of prime real estate, this development will also feature an 18-hole Greg Norman championship golf course.

These projects will enhance the golfing potential in St. Lucia. The sport attracts the high end of the tourism market. It is also a fast growing sector.

"There is stiff competition for the golfing market but there is plenty of room for everyone as golfing continues to grow by 5 percent a year. It is one of the fastest growing sports in the world," says Lawrence Samuel.

The Cap Estate developers plan to capitalize on this potential. They are building a hotel in the middle of the existing golf course. They are exploring the possibility of establishing a Jack Nicklaus Academy on the island.
"That will give us an edge," says Lawrence Samuel.

Cap Estate hopes to host the Caribbean Junior Championships in 2007. A golfing alliance with the London Club is currently under negotiation.