“Tourism’s Takeover: Locals Have Nowhere To Play”

Although the Old Airport Strip or “KaKa-Bef” had been marked for closure to renovate the airport since about 2018-2019 under a different administration, this time it seems like it will actually come to pass. Responses from the general public have been mixed, however, this is the latest in a series of events where Saint Lucians don’t seem to understand its magnitude and impact.  Let’s face it, more and more, Saint Lucians are being pushed out of recreational spaces in the name of tourism and development. We’ll circle back to the Drag Strip in a bit but first let’s consider going down memory lane. Lest we forget, the ongoing battle for the nation’s beaches between St. Lucians and foreign hoteliers. Most St. Lucians reading this have experienced looks of disdain or even cautioning and harassment while attempting to enjoy the beach bordering a hotel. Does anyone else recall the popular local parody show  “Lucians!”, where the host presented a “new” map of Saint Lucia outlined in white with the interior coloured black, taking inspiration from the national flag? “The black represents where native St. Lucian people will live and the white,” well, you know . I think this was aired in...