NASSAU, Bahamas – The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has announced its sponsorship of the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx), slated for the Jamaican capital of Kingston from September 30 to October 4, 2010.
“It’s wonderful to be recognized in this way by the Ministry, led by Minister of Tourism Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, one of the region’s visionaries whose eloquence on the benefits of sustainable tourism for individuals as well as for companies and governments is respected far beyond the Caribbean region,” said Lelei LeLaulu, who currently serves as vice president of the nonprofit organization.
Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace
“We are particularly delighted to have both Bahamas’ and Minister Vanderpool-Wallace’s very strong support for the Kingston meetings which will look at one of the Minister’s priorities – the teaching of tourism to our youth and the importance of educating people throughout our Caribbean communities,” he added.
According to Dr. Basil Springer, a member of the CMEx Board of Directors, the Harvard University-educated Vanderpool-Wallace “is known as a bold and creative thinker who is unafraid to consider innovative approaches to keep the Bahamas at the cutting edge of tourism destinations.” The Bahamas has previously hosted two CMEx interactive dialogues.
In Kingston, journalists, editors and young leaders from the Caribbean, North America and Europe as well as development specialists and representatives of the hospitality, civil society and government sectors will interact over the four days to explore the theme: “Tourism: Linkages for Growth.”
Delegates will examine how tourism intersects and contributes to the development of other sectors like manufacturing, food, agricultural and enterprise development. The role of the region’s preeminent academic institutions will also be featured.
The upcoming CMEx, to be held at The Jamaica Pegasus and partnering hotels in Kingston, will again have a strong focus on the Caribbean Diaspora and Faith Tourism as key contributors to Caribbean sustainable development.
Since 2001, CMEx has produced 18 conferences and networking symposia throughout the Caribbean and North America to underscore the value of the region’s largest industry, tourism, in improving the health, education, culture, environment and wealth of Caribbean communities, both at home and abroad, in a sustainable and climate friendly fashion.
The upcoming CMEx meeting is supported by the Jamaica Tourist Board, Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, and The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Additional contributors include: Anse Chastanet Resort, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Barbara Pyle Foundation, Bay Gardens Resorts, Caribbean Business Enterprise Trust, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, CaribWorldNews, Coco Palm, Community Benefit Development, 4P Group, Jade Mountain, Marketplace Excellence, Michael D. Communications, Ruder Finn, Spirit Airlines, and The SpeakEasy M.E.D.I.A. Foundation.
