KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett was on Sunday, October 3 presented with the CMEx 2010 Exemplar Award during the closing awards dinner of the 19th Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) on Sustainable Tourism at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.
The CMEx award was established to recognize those who inspire others with their life’s work to the cause of sustainable tourism and development and was presented to the Tourism Minister by inaugural winner Barbara Pyle, one of the founders of CNN and developer of the popular cartoon series – Captain Planet.
Minister Bartlett in accepting the award thanked CMEx for recognizing his efforts and expressed gratitude to his staff in the ministry for their outstanding support, as well as the leadership of Tourism Director John Lynch and his team.
Bermuda`s Premier Dr. Ewart Brown was presented with the World Leadership Award for enterprising and bold leadership, while several journalists were honored for their work in promoting tourism in the region.
Minister Bartlett in addressing delegates during the closing luncheon issued a charge to delegates to redouble their efforts to communicate the importance of tourism so every citizen in the region can understand the importance of tourism to their everyday lives. “I challenge CMEx to leave here in Kingston new ideas about how we can use the human richness of our people here to build better lives for themselves, their communities and our region. I challenge you to present new ideas about how we can enhance our vibrant cultural patrimony, and tell the world of these unique attractions, so they may come and join us in celebrating these riches,” noted Bartlett.
