ST. LUCIA – Two Host Venues – Antigua & Barbuda and Saint Lucia – have taken positive steps to woo accredited media who will be covering next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup.
Under an ICC CWC 2007 initiative called “Operation Media Welcome”, the nine Host venues have been working with their governments and hotel associations to develop favorable accommodation arrangements for media personnel working at the Event.
This program is now bearing fruit with Saint Lucia Prime Minister, Dr. the Honorable Kenny D. Anthony announcing that taxes on hotel accommodation will be waived for all accredited media in that country.
In a letter to Chairman of ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc., Kenneth Gordon, the Saint Lucian Prime Minister stressed that island’s interest in assisting accredited media. The waiver will result in an overall reduction of eight per cent in Saint Lucia’s hotel rates for accredited media.
In addition, Antigua & Barbuda’s LOC, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, has secured a block of rooms in the capital, St. John’s, at very reasonable rates and with flexible booking conditions for media.
“The media is a very important stakeholder in the Cricket World Cup and we are pleased that, through these initiatives, Antigua & Barbuda and Saint Lucia have demonstrated their respective appreciation of that,” said ICC CWC 2007 Managing Director & CEO, Chris Dehring.
“It’s great to see these countries reaching out to the media who will hopefully reciprocate with positive stories and coverage. We hope other countries within the nine Host Venues are also able to develop media-targeted programs which will enhance their return on investment from hosting the event.”
