St. Kitts is encouraging visitors to leave their towels on the beach during their stay and explore the Caribbean island’s lush interior and scenic wonders.
“Yes, we have sun-kissed beaches and crystal-clear waters, but our current message is journey beyond the shoreline and ‘venture deeper’ into the heart of our island,” said Kelly Fontenelle (pictured), CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, during a trade visit this week that included a media lunch in London and a travel agent event in Leeds.
“It is here where you will discover our history, culture, heritage, natural beauty and islanders – our authentic side.”
St Kitts’ island attractions include Mount Liamuiga (the original name for the island), a dormant volcano where visitors can “reconnect with nature, learn about our flora, herbs and natural medicines,” said Fontenelle.
“You can climb the 3,792 ft to the peak – and it is a tough hike – or join a gentle but exhilarating rainforest walk, although we recommend you always take a guide.”
A quarter of St. Kitts is covered in rainforest and all land above 1,000ft is protected. Other rainforest adventures include horseback riding and a zipline.
The island has a strategy in place that will see it become the Caribbean’s first 100% ‘sustainable island’.
Alongside plans for a geothermal power project and other renewable energy measures, the tourism authority is encouraging hotels, attractions and other providers of tourism experiences to follow sustainable practices.
One that is already doing this is Liamuiga Natural Farms. Opened in 2023 it offers visitors a ‘soil to soul’ dining experience with produce grown on the farm that is 1,500 feet above sea level.
“When we talk about sustainability it is also about the people of the island too. It is about developing tourism products that are ongoing, that will leave a legacy for their families,” added Fontenelle.
Running alongside the move towards greater sustainability is a ‘preservation plan’ that will see the island invest the funds and time to ensure the survival and viability of some of its heritage icons, like Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park.
Dating back to 1690, it is one of the Caribbean’s most extensive forts and a World UNESCO Heritage site.
The island was once fought over by the English and French and part of this history can be discovered at Brimstone Hill. Travellers can gaze down from the fort to see the outline of several other Caribbean nations.
“Traditionally we have been most popular among British travellers in the winter months, but we have plenty to entertain guests in our summer months, which is another focus for us,” added Fontenelle.
“Our top events include the St. Kitts Music Festival (June 26-28 2025) and our Restaurant Week in July. This sees restaurants across the island offering meals for set prices. We consult with our farmers and growers to see what vegetables and fruits are in abundance. This year we themed a lot of dishes around papaya.”
For a speed-dial introduction to St. Kitts’ history, Fontenelle recommends a ride aboard the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, which chugs past fields that were harvested for their sugarcane as recently as 2005.
St. Kitts was once a top rum-distilling island. A distant relative of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the U.S. (1801–1809) was the first to receive a land grant on the island and set up a rum distillery on what is now Wingfield Estate, another of the island’s top attractions.
Visitors can also sign up for a Kittitian Rum Master progamme, that involves creating a spice rum infused with local flavours like Roselle Hibiscus calyx and ends with a cocktail making (and consuming) experience. They leave with a Kittitian rum-making certificate.
Fontenelle stressed the importance of meeting travel agents in the UK.
“We didn’t come to World Travel Market this year, so it is important we are here now to let travel agents know how key they are to our success, update them on island developments and let them know more about our relaunched specialist training programme,” she said.
“We have not yet surpassed our pre-Covid visitor numbers, which seems to be the new benchmark measure, but we are close to that figure and could reach it by the end of the year. We are doing well and we need the trade to help us get there.”
British Airways flies to St. Kitts twice a week from Gatwick (with a brief stop in Antigua). Virgin Atlantic flies to Antigua and Barbados, with connections to St. Kitts via interCaribbean Airways.
