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Countdown to the CTO State of the Industry Conference
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is fine-tuning plans to
host yet another rewarding State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC)
from 15-18 October in Martinique. The conference which brings
together policymakers, executives, media and other practitioners in
the tourism industry, will explore ways to create a Caribbean
experience that reflects the region's unique diversity and
authenticity.
This years SOTIC will welcome some of themost distinguished
figures across the region and the world including the Honorable
Governor John P. de Jongh of the United States Virgin Islands
(USVI), who will deliver a special address during the Friday 18
October luncheon session at the Le Deck restaurant in the Madiana
Conference Center.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Governor John de Jongh said,
"Saavy travellers are increasingly seeking cultural experiences on
their trips and we in the Caribbean, with our glorious diversity of
history, ecology and extra-ordinary people, are well placed to
provide these experiences for our visitors."
The list of speakers confirmed for the SOTIC is growing. Both
regional and international experts will discuss topical matters
that will help Caribbean nations understand the core nature of
their tourism product, develop strategies that will take advantage
of the upcoming trends that are shaping the motivations and
purchasing decisions of target travellers, and build a stronger
platform that will emphasize the unique diversity of the
Caribbean.International trends consultant and Avant-Guide Institute
CEO, Daniel Levine, in his keynote speech will explain the concept
of brag-ability and the role it plays in visitor travel and
experience. He will illustrate how Caribbean destinations can keep
up with the ever evolving tourism trends that are shaping the way
visitors make decisions about their travel.
Among the line-up of speakers, is Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace,
the former secretary-general of the CTO who will explain why the
experience matters most to visitors. The Tourism Commissioner of
Martinique, Honorable Karine Roy-Camille will join Mr.
Vanderpool-Wallace in emphasizing the power of creating
unforgettable experiences for visitors that will create an
emotional attachment that will foster repeat visits.
A number of international speakers are also expected at the
conference including Albert Kluyver, the CEO/ President of the
Curacao-based Insel Air, who will touch on the very pressing issues
surrounding regional airlift and major elements for improvement
that could increase the efficiency and volume of the transportation
sector in the Caribbean; Paul Cohen, Vice-president of US-based
travel services company, Optriant, will focus heavily on the
emergence of the so-called BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and
South Africa) and what impacts this will have on Caribbean
destinations; Dwayne Bishop, Lead Creative, Oppusseven will join
the panel, 'There's an App for that!' in talking about social media
and how it adds to the bottom-line. Click on the photo below to
view SOTIC AT-A-GLANCE.
You can also join the SOTIC online community on the CTOFacebook
and Twitter channels.Also, our PR team met with the Ultimate Guru
of Cool, Daniel Levine, in an interview, visit CTO TVin the right
panel to listen.
SOTIC kicks off with press launch
Officials from the Martinique Tourism Authority and the
Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) held a press conference in
Martinique on Tuesday, 10 September to officially launch SOTIC 2013
in the host country.
Commissioner, Karine Roy-Camille, emphasized the benefits that
Martinique is expecting to gain by hosting the conference, as well
as preparations to welcome delegates to arrive from as early as 14
October. Secretary-General of the CTO, Hugh Riley reiterated the
vital role the SOTIC plays as the Caribbeans leading tourism
convention, including an overview of the thought-provoking sessions
that attendees can look forward to. Visit the CTO Facebook page, to
see photos from this event.
Tourism Satellite Account Workshop at SOTIC
What is a Tourism Satellite Account (TSA)? How does it measure
current and potential economic benefits and impacts? Why is this
essential as a diagnostic and a planning tool? Can TSAs improve the
competitiveness of our vital tourism sector? Is your country TSA
ready?
These and other questions will be addressed in a TSA
sensitization workshop for tourism leaders and decision-makers on
16 October, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. in the Taino Room of
the Madiana Conference Center in Martinique.
The workshop, which will be jointly hosted by the Caribbean
Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Inter-American Development Bank
(IDB), will precede the formal opening of the 2013 State of the
Industry Conference (SOTIC).
CTOs director of research & information technology, Winfield
Griffith, explained that TSAs are the way forward. By the end of
the workshop participants will have a clear perspective of how to
set up a TSA so that we can bring our approaches to planning,
decision-making and reporting on tourism in line with UNWTO global
standards.
Experts in the implementation of TSA who are scheduled to
deliver presentations include the IDB's operations senior
associate, Natasha Boyce; the programme officer responsible for
statistics and Tourism Satellite Accounts at the UNWTO, Clara van
der Pol; the director general of the Statistical Institute of
Jamaica, Carol Coy; and TSA consultant, Maureen Blokland.
To register interested parties should contact Gillian Hunte
[email protected] (246) 427-5242 or
visitwww.onecaribbean.org.
14 countries ready for Youth Congress
On the final day ofthe three-day conference "junior tourism
ministers" from several CTO member countries will conjoin in a
lively debate on important tourism issues. The Friday session
anchors the State of the Industry Conference with a
thought-provoking and spirited exchange of views among our future
leaders of the Region.
The Caribbeans best hope of sustainability is to embed the right
principles and entrust our future to the sharpest minds. The
session will be moderated by the 2012 Tourism Youth Congress winner
O'Brian Lewis from Jamaica.
So far 14 countries have confirmed their participation in the
CTO Caribbean Tourism Youth Congress. They are Anguilla, Antigua
& Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Jamaica,
Martinique, Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Eustatius, St. Lucia, St.
Maarten, St. Martin and Turks and Caicos.
US$40,000 awarded to Caribbean nationals
Fifteen Caribbean nationals are gaining a boost in their
academic and professional pursuits with support from the CTO
Foundation. This year, the Foundation awarded over US$40,000 in
scholarships and study grants to students from 10 CTO member
countries- Barbados, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Dominica, Grenada,
Guyana, Jamaica, Martinique, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia.
"We at the CTO have recognized that it is becoming
increasinglydifficult for persons wanting to further their studies
to access the necessary resources to do so," commented
BonitaMorgan, the head of regional resource development at the CTO
and the Foundation secretary. "The Foundation is very pleasedthat
itisable to give continuous support toindividuals who are
well-deserving of the kind ofassistance needed to help
furtherthemselves academically and professionally."
Scholarships of up to US$7,617 were awarded to 5 students
pursuing studies, while ten students received study grants of up to
US$2000 each.
Scholarship recipients were Shamma Phillipe-Harris of St. Lucia,
MSc. Tourism Management, New York University; Marsha Banton of
Jamaica, MSc. Tourism and Hospitality Management, University West
Indies, Jamaica; Isabelle Limea of Martinique, MSc. Tourism
Management, Marne-la-valleuniversity, France; and Aletha Connely of
Guyana, MSc. Tourism and Hospitality, University of the West
Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados. Kervin Hinson of St. Vincent received
the Audrey Palmer Hawks Scholarship valued at US$2,130.
The strong and continuous support from major sponsors, Ms.
Morgan stated, has been invaluable to the sustainability of the
scholarship programme.
"Over the years we have received tremendous contributions from
several sponsors such as Interval International who remain
committed to the CTO Foundation every year." She also made mention
of a sponsored ticket by LIAT airlines to one of the scholarship
recipients.
From its inception in 1997, the CTO Foundation has provided more
than US$760,000 in scholarships and grants to more than 200
deserving Caribbean nationals pursuing tourism-related studies.
Navigate to the right panel to read testimonials from three past
scholarship recipients.
Hospitality Assured broadening horizons
CTO director of resource mobilization and development,
BonitaMorgan, conducted a series of workshops between July and
August as part of the CTO's mission to enhance the Caribbean
region's human resource capacity, particularly within the
hospitality and tourism sectors through the Hospitality Assured
(HA) programme.
A Hospitality Assured Advisor Workshop was held from 26-30
August at the Hotel Alexandrina in St. Vincent for key
professionals who will work in support of the accreditation
programme, Hospitality Assured (HA).
"This important workshoptargetedbusiness advisors who will be
trained in support of the Hospitality Assured programme so that the
programme can be continued outside of the CTO efforts," Ms. Morgan
commented.
Fifteenadvisors from
eight Caribbean countries including
St.Kitts, Nevis, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
Anguilla, Belize, Barbados, and Grenada participated in this
introductory workshop and left with further knowledge andinsight
about the significance of establishing the HA programme in their
business establishments.
During the first week of September, a Train-the-Trainer
workshop, developed by the CTO in collaboration with HEART Trust, a
Jamaica based national training agency, was conducted for tour
guides wanting to learn ways to improve the overall manner in which
they deliver the services they offer. The sessions were held at the
Runaway Bay resort in Jamaica.
The training sessions were conducted to provide a practical
guide for tour guides to follow.
"This training programme, designed specifically for tour guides,
is a follow through from a previous workshop conducted by
international tour guide trainer, Ms. Iris Barry," Ms. Morgan
stated.
"In the first session, they were trained at the highest level of
learning.These sessions are now focused on the lower levels of
learning which involve more activities to engage their
understanding and application of tour-guiding principles as well as
to provide more practical lessons for the trainees to follow."
Seventeen tour guides participated in the 4-6 September
workshop. The participating countries were Belize, Dominica,
Guyana, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grendines, Jamaica and
Barbados.
The CTO and HEART Trust have been working tirelessly over the
last few years to develop a Caribbean Vocational Qualification
(CVQ), a training qualification for tour guides with set national
standards, to raise the level of professionalism of tour guides in
the region.
"As part of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification, trainees
follow a competency learning system, that is, a progressive course
of study accompanied by a learner guide and interactive CD that is
practical and user-friendly," Ms. Morgan explained.
Other upcoming workshops scheduled for the month of October
include a train-the-trainer programme for taxi drivers which will
be conducted in St. Maarten from 7 to 11 October and a Management
of Service Quality workshop, organized in conjunction with the
Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI) from
1-4 October.
Inside CTO UK
The CTO UK Chapter has been busy with events and activities. In
this feature, we highlight the Love Caribbean special offers
campaign, CTO UK Crisis Management Seminar, CTO UK Tourism Month,
BBQ & Networking Event and the National Wedding Show.
Love Caribbean CTO Special Offers Campaign
To kick start Caribbean Month in the UK for September 2013, the
Caribbean Tourism Organisation launched a special offers campaign
following the launch of the new Facebook, Twitterand Blog pages
under the theme Love Caribbean. The aim of the campaign is
to increase awareness and bookings for the Caribbean region.
The special offers flyerswere circulated to over 8,500 UK travel
agents and homeworkers including Caribbean Training Programme
agents, 21,000 UK consumers; and were also promoted via social
media. Agents were encouraged to participate in the campaign by
promoting the special offers through shop window displays, email
blasts, social media or special events held during the Caribbean
month. Agents who participated in the campaign and logged their
bookings were eligible to win shopping vouchers. Click below to
view flyers.
Crisis Management Seminar
On Thursday 19 September, a half day Crisis ManagementSeminar
was held for CTO UK Chapter members. The line up of speakers and
topics included Johnson JohnRose, CTOs Communications
Specialist,who illustrated how different types of crises and
disasters are handled within the Caribbean region and which
agency/division specifically, handled these.
Jeremy Skidmoreoutlined exactly what the media needed in a
crisis. Jeremy has been a journalist for more than 20 years and
still writes regularly for various publications. Hes been editor of
the trade paper Travel Weekly and has written for just about every
UK national newspaper and dozens of websites. He is an expert in
crisis communication and runs media training courses for several
high profile travel companies.
Angela Hills, Destinations Services Manager from ABTAdiscussed
the role that ABTA plays in a crisis and how best to work with
them.Finally, there is nothing like learning from example and there
were case studies from two destinations. Jean-Marc Flambert,
Director of Marketing UK and Europe, Saint Lucia Tourist Board and
former Director UK and Ireland of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board
presented a Sri Lanka case study - Lessons Learnt Tsunami. And Judy
McCluskey, Agency Principle, McCluskey International presented a
Jamaica case study on behalf of the Jamaica Tourist Board.
~Caribbean Month~
Late Summer BBQ and Networking Event
65 CTO UK Chapter Members celebrated Caribbean Month at a Late
Summer BBQ on 19 September at the newly refurbished Kensington
Close Hotel in London. Although the inclement weather meant the
event couldn't be held outside this did not hinder the party and
networking mood! Members enjoyed a BBQ buffet, drinks and
entertainment by Kirk Thorne who got everyone into the Caribbean
mood.
The National Wedding Show
The National Wedding show London is the UKs largestwedding show
which receives an average of 18,000 visitors over the 3-day event.
The Show was held at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London
from 27 29 September 2013. Members joining the CTO Stand included
Anguilla Tourist Board, Grand Lucayan Resort Bahamas and Turks
& Caicos Island Tourist Board. Other members opted to
participate in the CTO brochure bank for the Show including British
VirginIslands Tourist Board, The Bahamas Tourist Office, Saint
Lucia Tourist Board and the St.Vincent and the Grenadines.
Life as a CTO intern
Each year, the CTO opens its doors to students wanting to
undertake internships to aid their studies or for professional
research and development purposes. Within the past six months,
eight students enrolled in several regional and international
universities had the opportunity to work with the CTO for a
stipulated period of time. These students who came from diversed
academic backgrounds performed different roles within the various
departments at the CTO gaining experience in the work of the
organization with the objective of deepening their knowledge and
understanding of the regional development agency. Read
more>>
Meet Patrick Alleyne
Money is the blood of the organization
~ Patrick Alleyne, CTO accountant
Patrick Alleyne is among the most recent additions to the CTO
family, joining the team at the headquarters as accountant in
January of this year, where he oversees the regional development
agency's finances.
Professional life before CTOWorking at CTO, he stated, is a
whole new experience. I am not used to managing other peoples
money. Well, not for a non-profit organization!, Mr. Alleyne said.
He joined CTO with vast experience in the accounting field, working
in off-shore banking and the travel industry within Barbados for
over 17 years.
He obtained a BSc. in accounting from the University of the West
Indies, Cave Hill, but chose to start a career in music after
graduating. He was one of the first members of the Cavite chorale
and became the director for eight years.
His role at the CTOMr. Alleyne provides accounting, financial
management and control services to the organization. He monitors
closely the funds that circulate throughout the organization-
mainly in the form of membership dues and donor contribution- and
all other expenses. He works closely with the director of finances
to ensure that timely and precise data is available for bi-annual
reporting to the Board. He maintains the general ledger for the
organization and provides periodic records to the director in an
effort to maintain proper financial management.
Describe the value of your position to the CTO?Money is the
blood of the organization, Mr. Alleyne emphasized. He believes that
managing the company's funds is paramount-whether for profit or
not-for-profit. "It is important to know exactly where what goes
and where it comes from," he added.
Life outside of the CTOUnhesitant was he to mention liming as
his typical off-the-job activity. He has a strong passion for music
which explains his great familiarity with playing the piano and
active involvement with the Myriad singers of the St. Michael
Church. Not a word on whether he can actually sing.
SEPTEMBER 2013 ISSUE
Today's Highlights
>Countdown to SOTIC
> SOTIC Press Launch> Tourism Satellite Account
Workshop>14 Countries Ready For Youth
Congress>$US40,000Awarded ToCaribbean Nationals
> Hospitality Assured> Inside CTO UK>Life As A CTO
Intern> Meet Patrick Alleyne
CTO TV
Secretary-General Hugh Riley invites you to the State of
theIndustry Conference
Listen to SOTIC Keynoter Daniel Levine interview with CTO head
office PR team
CTO approved!Watch the video below to find out more
ViewDestination Caribbean TV showAugust 21 edition "Tourism on
Stage"
View Destination Caribbean TV show September 25 edition "Made in
the Caribbean"
Here's a reminder of why you should register now for the State
of the Industry Conference.
Theres increasing demand for the CTO media skills/public
relations and crisis communications workshops. Communications
Specialist Johnson JohnRose conducted a crisis communications
workshop for approximately 30 tourism stakeholders in the British
Virgin Islands.
I must say that your crisis communication workshop has come in
quite handy these past few months. With our ferry crisis as well as
major challenges with LIAT, the team here has had to face the press
as well as our guests to disseminate rather unpleasant news. They
refer to your seminar time and time again. ~Ms. Sharon Flax-Mars,
BVI director of tourism.
Watch video on BVI workshop participants reaction
The Caribbean island with French flair, The Isle of Flowers, The
Rum Capital of the World, The Isle of the Famed Poet (Aim Csaire)
by any one of its many names, the SOTIC host venue, Martinique
remains one of the most alluring and enchanting destinations in the
world.
Click below to tour the best of Martinique:
CTO Secretary General delivered the Keynote address at the
Statia Sustainable Conference and Exhibition held September 25 -
27. His speech captioned, "Tourism & Water: Protecting our
Common Future", reminded conference delegates that the Caribbean
has the duty to create policies and to engender behaviors in its
people and in its visitors, that will safeguard its water resources
for future generations. View photos here.
Click below to listen to the full speech:
The whole world meets at ITB Berlin, the world's leading travel
trade show: People, working in the travel industry and people, who
want to catch up on the most beautiful travel destinations. The
combination of trade exhibition, public exhibition and the biggest
professional convention worldwide attracts tens of thousands of
visitors, exhibitors and media representatives every year.
Watch Caribbean at IDB video below:
HAPPY WORLD TOURISM DAY FROM THE CTO!
On Friday, September 27th 2013 we joined with our tourism
partners and the world over in celebration of World Tourism
Day(WTD), the time designated by the UNWTOto foster awareness among
the international community and to highlight the actions being
taken in the tourism sector to contribute towards a more
sustainable future. In support of the UN'sInternational Year of
Cooperation, WTD was themed: Tourism and Water: Protecting our
Common Future.
Click below to read World Tourism Day Address by CTO Chairman
Beverly Nicholson-Doty 27 September 2013
Click below to listen to World Tourism Day official address by
Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary General.
"Quote ... Unquote"
"We do have a sustainable tourism product and everyone will like
to see more and more tourists come but it comes with a price and we
have to make sure that the price is not too much to pay. What we
need to do is bring in small boutiques which provide good quality
service and unique experiences as well as involve the visitors in
the culture rather than the other way around-don't let them impact
the culture."
~ Russ Fielden, CEO, True Blue Bay Resort, Grenada
Testimonials
"Despite coming from a country that is not predominantly focused
on tourism, my studies have shown me the potential of the industry
as a means of developing Guyana and the wider Caribbean.I would
therefore, like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the CTO
Foundation for the provision of a scholarship that allowed me to
complete my Masters in Tourism and Hospitality at the University of
the West Indies (Cave Hill Campus). Once again I would like to
thank the CTO Foundation for their continued efforts to assist
Caribbean students in financial need." ~Aletha Connely, Guyana
"I saw the scholarship not only as a contribution to my Masters,
but as an award to be a Caribbean national working in Travel and
Tourism. I thank the CTO for believing in me and for helping me
pursue what I firmly believe in." ~ Eva Amiable
"This monetary award ably assisted me with my transfer to the
Bahamas to complete the latter years of my tertiary education.In
September 2010, I commenced my journey towards obtaining my
Bachelor of Science degree in Tourism Management and it was without
much hesitation that I state that the Caribbean Tourism
Organization has been very instrumental in my quest toward earning
this degree." ~Jason Yearwood, Barbados
Hot Dates
State of the Industry Conference
Martinique, Oct 15-18
Caribbean Tourism MonthNovember
CTO Caribbean Travel Journalism AwardsNov 4
World Travel Market (WTM)London, Nov3-7
SAVE THE DATES
World Travel Market (WTM) 2013 Events
CTO will organize the following important key events at World
Travel Market (WTM) 2013 for our visiting member countries,
airlines and hoteliers from the Caribbean region and our CTO UK
Chapter members to meet, negotiate and trade with travel industry
partners during this leading global 4 day business to business
event.
N.B.The CTO Directors of Tourism European Update rescheduled to
Thursday 7 November at 10.00am 12noon.
Click to view CTO UK Industry Insights
REGISTER NOW!
Other News
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The SOTIC headlines Phoenix News
Quick Links
SOTIC Delegates Registration Form
DownloadSOTIC flyers
HVS Chicos 2013
CTO Latest Tourism Statistics
Upcoming Caribbean Events
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About CTO
The Caribbean Tourism Organization's exists to increase
significantly the inclusion of the Caribbean region in the set of
destinations being considered by travellers. CTO's envisions the
global recognition of the Caribbean as a growing set of places and
experiences that people feel compelled to enjoy in their lifetime.
Read more>>
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