CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC):

Tourism Minister Allan Chastanet says industrial action by employees of British Airways will affect the tourism industry in the Caribbean, according to a report on www.cananews.net.

"British Airways travels to St Lucia and other Caribbean destinations as often as five times a week, and with its operations into the Christmas and New Year affected by industrial protest (it) will be a major blow, especially as most of the flights are already booked," Chastanet said.

The British Airways employees have said they will embark on a 12-day strike from December 22 to protest the decision by the airline to lay off workers and restructure the company in order to deal with the huge losses as a result of the global recession. British Airways chief executive officer Willie Walsh has called a meeting with the leaders of United Union in order to stop cabin crew members from joining the strike that could result in a huge loss to the airline.

Chastanet said that regional tourism is also struggling with the new travel tax imposed by the British government and the strike by British Airways could not have come at a worst time.

Chastanet said he hoped the strike would not seriously affect the number of arrivals into St Lucia during the Christmas period.

He said the Stephenson King administration is holding talks with the airline on the issue and what policies could be implemented to mitigate its effect on the local industry.