The Ministry of Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries is hoping to standardize all of Saint Lucia’s national festivals in 2016.

According to the Minister for Tourism, Hon. Lorne Theophilus, it will be an evolution of Saint Lucia’s national events.

"In 2016 and beyond, we are hoping that the Festivals Commission will come on stream, and through its mandate, it will have the responsibility of the executive production of all national events."

At present, different entities undertake national events such as the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, Saint Lucia Carnival, Independence activities, Jounen Kweyol, and the flower festivals.

Minister Theophilus said the Festivals Commission will ensure that each event will meet the same standard.

"The Commission will have the mandate of ensuring that the executive production of all national events is all done at the same level. That enthusiasm and vigour which goes into the production of all the major events, will also go into the smaller events as well so that we can use them as significant parts of our marketing calendar and that way promote our destination and as usual, increase the number [of visitors]."

Minister Theophilus added that continuous growth of the destination is needed to ensure the economic well being of Saint Lucia.