Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference Hosted in United States Virgin Islands Begins
CTC-28 Delegates Attend Opening Ceremony
ST. THOMAS, USVI, October 24, 2005. The 28th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-28) commenced this morning with a ceremony held at Frenchman's Reef and Morningstar Marriot Beach Resort in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. More than 700 CTC-28 delegates including tourism officials, prominent industry leaders, travel agents and members of the international media attended the event, which marked the official opening of the conference. The annual industry event offers travel professionals access to informative seminars and master classes exploring technology, trends, marketing and communications.
"The theme of this year's conference, Tourism: The Business of the Caribbean, speaks to the branding of the Caribbean as a means of leveraging this region's distinct advantages for the benefit and profit of its citizens and travel industry partners," stated Commissioner Pamela C. Richards, U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, during her official welcome remarks. Commissioner Richards also is the Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. During her welcome remarks, Commissioner Richards announced a Memorandum Of Understanding jointly signed between the Caribbean Hotel Association and the Caribbean Tourism Organization at a ceremony yesterday in Government House, St. Thomas.
The opening ceremony also included a posting of the flags from all 33 CTO member nations, as well as remarks from the Honorable Dr. Charles Wesley Turnbull, Governor of the Unites States Virgin Islands.
In addition to today's program of events, the U.S. Virgin Islands will host delegates with a Welcome Extravaganza, the conference's traditional evening kick-off event. Scheduled this evening from 7 - 10 p.m. at Havensight Mall in St. Thomas, The Department of Tourism will be staging a memorable and lively vignette of the destination's three primary islands of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas. Hosts dressed in traditional attire will greet delegates dockside and escort them into a replica of a West Indian village complete with food & beverage stations, live music stages, local arts and crafts vendors - and even a Cruzan Rum Tasting booth. An internationally known youth steel band, Quadrille dancers and Mocko Jumbies will keep the evening fun and festive.
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