The Saint Lucia Hospitality& Tourism Association (SLHTA) has ben highlighted the major contribution tourism makes to this country's economic growth. The Association, in a message to mark World Tourism Day being observed on Monday, has also given its a commitment to widening support to the community. In the message SLHTA President, Paul Collymore,  noted that tourism's  contribution to the growth of the local economy cannot be ignored, especially as globalization – and now COVID-19 – have caused drastic declines in the agriculture, manufacturing and construction. However Collymore explained that due to the linkages that tourism shares with these sectors, they