NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2007 – With the global climate change debate continuing to make headlines, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) will explore the impact this important issue has on the tourism industry during a Master Class session to be held on Monday, Oct. 22, 2007 at the 30th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference. The Conference itself, which runs from Oct. 19 – 24, 2007 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is organised in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC). It attracts delegates from all sectors of the tourism industry who will gather under the theme, “The Next Generation: Learning From the Past, Preparing for the Future.”
Several leading academic voices in the field will share information on the effects of climate change on the
Caribbean tourism industry and how the industry can reduce its contribution to the problem. Experts include :
- Dr. Daniel Scott, Canada research chair for global change and tourism and assistant professor of geography at the University of Waterloo in Canada. Dr. Scott is also chair of the Expert Team on Climate and Tourism of the World Meteorological Association and the World Tourism Organization
- Dr. David Viner, senior research scientist in the climate research unit of the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England.
“Climate change is a primary concern for all sectors of the global economy, especially those of us in the tourism industry,” said Hugh Riley, the CTO’s director of marketing for the Americas. “Our goal for this conference is to learn more about how the changing climate affects our destinations and also to determine how we can help stem the tide through our industry’s own practices.”
This year, CTO expects to host more than 600 tourism industry officials representing Caribbean governments, hotels, airlines, cruise lines, travel agents, tour operators, strategic partners and media representatives from around the world.
Information on registration for the 30th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference, is available at www.onecaribbean.org, or by contacting Sylma Brown-Bramble at 212-635-9530 or by e-mail to [email protected].
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is the smallest of the Caribbean Greater Antilles, measuring 100 miles (161 km) long by 35 miles (56.3 km) wide. Also known as the “Island of Enchantment,” it is a vibrant, modern, multicultural society, molded by Spanish, African, Indian and U.S. influences. The island features historic sites and architecture that compliment a dynamic lifestyle of lively music, art centers, shopping and culinary delicacies ranging from traditional to innovative dishes.
The island is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Beaches surround the island while a central mountain range, with elevations up to 4,398 feet (1,338 meters), runs throughout its center, creating lush vegetation in the north and arid climate in the south. Puerto Rico is also comprised of four off the coast islands and numerous cays. The country’s unique geography allows for a variety of opportunities, no matter your interest: Nature walks in tropical and dry forests, visits to cave systems, bird-watching, hiking, mountain climbing, diving and snorkeling, swimming in bioluminescent bays, surfing, kayaking, and great diversity for invigorating experiences.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with headquarters in Barbados and marketing operations in New York, London and Toronto, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency and comprises membership of over 30 governments and a myriad of private sector entities.
The CTO’s mission is to provide to and through its members, the services and information needed 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 and statistics, information technology and sustainable tourism development. The CTO disseminates information on behalf of its member governments to consumers and the travel trade.
Media Contact
Andrew Wilson/Katie McCall/Terence Gallagher
Lou Hammond & Associates
(212) 308-8880
[email protected]
[email protected]
Johnson JohnRose
Caribbean Tourism Organization
(246) 427-5242
[email protected]
