IMF Review Reveals Possible Inflation in Saint Lucia's Tourism Revenue

An IMF mission to Saint Lucia has expressed concerns regarding the misrepresentation of visitor expenditure data, attributed to flaws in surveys from the Saint Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB). Findings indicate potential overestimations of US visitor spending by nearly 25% in 2023, following a review conducted from October 28 to November 1. Key issues include low survey participation rates and a lack of diversity in accommodation representation. The IMF recommends revitalizing in-person surveys and improving data collection protocols to enhance accuracy and support effective economic planning. Effective communication is vital for data integrity.