TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The International Cooperation and Development Fund has been helping local communities in Saint Lucia persuade tourists to leave luxury resorts and immerse themselves in local culture, reports said Thursday.
The Caribbean island nation is one of Taiwan’s 12 official diplomatic allies. Ambassador Nicole Su (蘇瑩君) was present at the unveiling of the latest project in the community of Babonneau, per CNA.
The aim is to attract tourists from the holiday resorts in the country to smaller local communities, she said. The project includes improving road signage and upgrading souvenir shops.
The strategy will not only make traveling around the area more convenient, but also empower the community and its micro-enterprises, the diplomat said. Preserving the country’s cultural identity helps with the transformation of its economy, according to officials.
The policy forms part of the “Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project” launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
