Puerto Rico Hosts Tourism Exchange
SAN JUAN, PR, December 21, 2005. Is it possible to build a vibrant tourism industry while conserving the valuable natural resources of a destination? This is the key question which will spark the 8th edition of the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx). This will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, February 9-13, 2006.
Counterpart International and its Caribbean affiliate Counterpart Caribbean made the announcement Monday following the successful staging of the interactive media dialogue in Nassau, Bahamas this month.
Dr. Basil Springer, Chairman of Counterpart Caribbean, said the theme for the meeting will be "Sustainable Development: A Balancing Act" and delegates will examine "how do we motivate our best people to engage in tourism development which creates wealth while revitalising local culture and conserving the fragile environment".
"The diligent pursuit of the social partnership model is an optimal strategy towards the objective of sustainable development, and the media should be included in the social partners to act as a catalyst in the achievement of the objective," said Dr. Springer, who believes the fourth estate is ideally positioned to effectively communicate with the people through strategies of investigative journalism.
The CMEx meeting, known for its intimate, lively interactive format will whet the appetite of participants planning to attend the Annual Sustainable Tourism Conference, mounted by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and its partners in Puerto Rico next spring.
A limited amount of fellowships will be offered to Caribbean and international journalists and editors to attend the meeting which will be held at The Normandie Hotel located between the Condado area and Old San Juan.
To apply, visit www.caribbeanmediaexchange.com/Default.aspx?tabid=107. Deadline for entries is Friday, December 23, 2005.
CMEx San Juan sponsors and supporters include Almond Resorts, American Express, Association of Caribbean Media Workers, Black Entertainment Television (BET Jazz), Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Caribbean Hotel Association, Caribbean World News Network, Coco Resorts, ENG Caribbean Vision Center, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Ruder Finn, SpeakEasy M.E.D.I.A., United Nations Development Programme, and "We are the Caribbean Media Services."
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
