Oct. 19 – Tourism Commissioner Pamela C. Richards has been elected to serve as chairwoman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
Richards was elected to this position at CTO's 42nd board of directors meeting in Aruba this week during the 27th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference. She is the second woman to serve in the prestigious position of the major international body, according to press materials.
"I am honored to accept this appointment as Chairperson and to serve in a leadership role for this regional organization," Richards said.
"I look forward to continuing the development of CTO as an unmatched regional marketing tool and resource for our Caribbean member nations. As in the global market, many challenges exist for the Caribbean tourism industry, but I am confident that through the organization's relationships with both the private and public sectors, we will face them head on and excel," she said.
Richards' election was based on votes from representatives of other member countries and the private sector, including the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, Caribbean Hotel Association and airlines. She will serve in this office through the 2004-2006 term.
CTO's mission is to provide its members with the appropriate resources for the development of sustainable tourism for the economic and social benefit of the Caribbean people. The organization provides specialized support and technical assistance to member countries in the areas of marketing, human resource development, research, information technology and sustainable development, the release said.
For additional information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, call (800) 372-USVI, ext. 8784, visit www.usvitourism.vi or contact the nearest USVI Department of Tourism regional office in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington, D.C. or Toronto. For more information about the Caribbean Tourism Organization, call (516) 594-4100, or visit www.onecaribbean.org.
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