Castries Arcade vendors are receiving new business training aimed at improving their earnings, strengthening financial management and helping them compete more effectively in Saint Lucia’s evolving tourism market.

Saint Lucia Cruise Port (SLCP), in partnership with the Castries Constituency Council (CCC), hosted a Financial Literacy Clinic for vendors on October 15 at the National Cultural Centre. The session brought together Bank of Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia Development Bank, the Small Business Development Centre and BELfund to share practical business guidance.

The training covered business registration, access to financing, revenue growth and day-to-day business operations. These skills are especially important for small traders seeking to maintain steady income, manage expenses and build more sustainable businesses.

The initiative forms part of a wider vendor training programme running from October through November 2026, with additional sessions expected to continue in 2027. Upcoming topics include customer service, merchandising, teamwork, conflict resolution and professional conduct.

Saint Lucia Cruise Port says the programme is designed to prepare vendors for the modernised Castries Vendors’ Arcade. The improved facility is expected to provide a better trading environment, but organisers have stressed that business skills and service quality are just as important as upgraded infrastructure.

With cruise visitors and stay-over tourists contributing to local commerce, vendors who strengthen their financial and customer-service practices could be better positioned to capture spending opportunities.

The programme aims to help Castries vendors turn improved market facilities into stronger businesses, better customer experiences and more sustainable income.