US elections may affect tourism

St Lucia's tourism minister Allen Chastenet, says the mid-term elections in the United States will present a marketing challenge to Caribbean destinations.



The United States is the main tourist market for St Lucia and many other Caribbean islands.



Chastenet says the elections are being more fiercely fought this year than usual and record amounts of money are being spent.



He says Caribbean tourism officials must now start their winter marketing programme substantially earlier to cushion the impact of the disturbance.



Chastanet said the industry must be prepared for the hard challenge given that people are booking their vacations late.