Oct. 27, 2003 – On Nov. 6 and 7, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office will mount the first-ever policy workshop on tourism to be held by any European government.
The event will bring Caribbean tourism ministers and representatives from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) together with senior figures from the tourism industry in the United Kingdom, the U.K government, and the European Commission, as well as British ministers, said a release from the Hotel Association.
The workshop's broad objective is to better understand how tourism relates to European policy towards the Caribbean and how tourism can be made more central to the political, economic and development policy dialogue between all European Union capitals, the European Commission, and the Caribbean.
"Britain's decision to host this event is significant. Its voice on Caribbean affairs is the one most frequently deferred to by other European Union member states, because of its longstanding relationship with and experience of the region," said CHA President Simón B. Suárez.
The workshop will be divided into sessions covering topics such as Tourism and the international trade agenda; Sustainable development and social responsibility; the Caribbean tourism product; Creating and maintaining a secure environment for tourism; and Relating tourism to the development agenda.
"The private sector holds the key to the future of the region's economy. In representation of the private sector, CHA is a most appropriate partner in development to deliver practical solutions through its membership,"
Suárez continued. "This workshop is an extraordinary opportunity to advance the principles of public and private sector cooperation to which CHA is committed," he concluded.
The Caribbean Hotel Association represents the entire spectrum of the hospitality industry's private sector, from over 1,100 member hotels in 35 national hotel associations, to allied members including airlines, financial services, vacation ownership, tour operators, travel agents, trade and consumer press, suppliers, and others. The U.S. Virgin Islands is included among its membership.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
