Basseterre, St. Kitts (November 1, 2005): Just in time for Tourism Week, local high school student Vondez Phipps has secured a third place rating among 17 high school students from around the region at the Fifth Annual Youth Congress held in St. Thomas.
The effective speaking competition was held as part of the 28th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC). During the ninety-minute event, students presented on the topics, "Promoting responsible tourism in the Caribbean," and "Attracting Caribbean youth to view tourism as a viable career option." This was followed by an impromptu question, "What measures should be put in place to secure safety and security of visitors?"
Participants represented their respective Caribbean territories as, Junior Ministers of Tourism.
"I am privileged to have represented my country," Vonzel said, as a result of the experience, I have gained knowledge in tourism and built relationships with the students from the other islands."
Vonzel also said it was a stepping stone which gave him exposure and a chance to develop his public speaking skills because his goal is to some day become a parliamentary representative.
