The Bachelor 2010. *Photo credit: tv.insidepulse.com

CASTRIES, Saint Lucia (March 9, 2010) – The island of Saint Lucia is basking in intense international attention following the top ratings from the season finale of the “The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love” and “After The Final Rose” special on the ABC channel on Monday, March 1.

On average, the 14th Season of “The Bachelor” generated the biggest overall audience for the franchise since fall 2003, with Monday night’s airing winning the 8:00 and 10:00 p.m. EST time slot with approximately 15 million viewers. “After The Final Rose” dominated the 10 o’clock hour with some 14.3 million viewers who watched the offer to Jake Pavelka, the Bachelor and his newly chosen lady Vienna of a return vacation to Soufrière’s Jade Mountain, which along with Saint Lucia’s famous Piton peaks served as the backdrop for the emotional season finale.

“Saint Lucia has received unparalleled exposure from this television series and we look forward to converting this into more bookings to the island,” said Director of Tourism, Louis Lewis. “With the launch of our Red Rose Romance Promotion – which offers special romantic getaway packages – along with other opportunities which have been presented to us following the telecast, we are encouraged,” he added.

The director reported that average daily visits to www.saintlucianow.com and the number of requests for destination e-books more than doubled since the February 15 episode which initially featured Saint Lucia. Nearly 40,000 visits or total sessions were registered, while the request for e-books increased from 175 to more than 400. Lewis explained that the island ran 15-second television ads in 10 key US markets during the final episode which also contributed to the significant increases.

“The Bachelor buzz is strong in North America, and with an increase in airline seats to our shores set for the summer, I think we are well poised to witness growth from these markets,” predicted Lewis.

Karolin Troubetzkoy, Executive Director of Jade Mountain, said the exposure for the island, as well as the resort, has been phenomenal. “We had over 15,000 website hits for Jade Mountain during the night of the season finale,” said a thrilled Troubetzkoy, whose Jade Mountain is regarded as one of the most sought-after resorts on the planet. The property is famed not only for its three-walled suites but also for its “green” construction which, at owner Nick Troubetzkoy’s request, uses, among other things, recycled glass, plastic, wood and water.

At Jade Mountain, Jake Pavelka, the Bachelor, ended his own bid for true love, making the difficult choice of 23 year-old marketing representative Vienna over 25 year-old college admissions representative Tenley, from among 25 beautiful bachelorettes who sought his attention.