Overseas property: St Lucia

St Lucia packs a lot into its 238 square miles and has big intentions too. In addition to its beautiful white beaches, banana plantations, coral reefs and tropical rainforest, it has grand plans for regeneration and redevelopment. This looks set to make it even more popular, not least with celebrity fans such as Amy Winehouse and Kelly Brook, both of whom have been spotted frolicking on the island in the last month.

Minister for tourism Allen Chastanet knows that for St Lucia to attract the same crowds and wealth as Barbados and Antigua it needs to protect its natural beauty but not rely on it alone. “As a destination, St Lucia’s done well,” he says, “but there’s a lot of potential for growth.” Which means incentives to encourage more hoteliers and resort developers to come to the island, sleek new marinas, and the replacement of nail-bitingly bad roads. This will do away with the tortuous route from the south of the island and Hewanorra International airport (also to be upgraded), to the north, where some of the most beautiful beaches can be found. Continue Reading