 |
|
Unoma Allen, Corporate Communications Manager of St. Kitts Tourism Authority |
Basseterre, St. Kitts: Under the theme "Preserving our Natural and Cultural Treasure: Key to Sustainability" the Tourism Week 2006 for St. Kitts plans to focus on the youth.
The organization has planned a number of activities that will cater to all ages and will launch the activities on Wednesday, September 27, marking World Tourism Day. Richard Skerrit, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport will deliver a speech on this day.
"Tourism must be sustainable," said Unoma Allen, Corporate Communications Manager of St. Kitts Tourism Authority. "The theme of Tourism Week is one which is to summon thought around the key to the longevity of the industry that is preserving our rainforests. Folklore, art forms, and our people by encouraging healthy lifestyles and always updating their skills, our cuisine, and our beaches the list can go on and on. It is our hope that this themes doesn't fizzle away during the week of activities, but remains in the minds of the population for years to come."
Tourism week is a series of public and private events and business meetings conducted by the Department of Tourism. The events run from October 8-14.
The week's program of activities emphasizes the need for ongoing training, highlights the talent of local artistes, local hotels will have to chance to sell themselves to the public. Also promotes career opportunities in tourism, involves students in quizzes and other awareness activity and the launching of National Carnival is done in that week.
"This type of initiative is important for the sustainability of the industry, because in order for the sector to continue generating revenue nationally for generations to come, it needs people to drive it," Allen said. "One way to guarantee this is to expose today, the adults of tomorrow. The private sector and the Ministry of Education must be commended for their role in this endeavor."
Allen also said that Tourism week 2006 aims to expose the youth to the industry, giving them the opportunity to possibly choose a career in the sector and experience hands-on what is required of them.
The Tourism Experience is an initiative being adopted as part of Tourism Week 2006 to give teenagers specifically, an idea of the various jobs available within the industry.
Thus far Timothy Beach Hotel, Kenneth's Dive Center, Kate Designs and Kantours have offered to assign students to various posts within their business during the week.
"Plans are progressing well, organization meetings for the week began already, even before the 10th St. Kitts Music Festival," she said. "The committee is comprised of public and private partners who all have a roll to play in various events of the week."
Allen said that Carib Breweries has pledged to sponsor a Youth Pan Festival and the Ministry of Agriculture is a part of a sub-committee designed to organise a Food presentation event.
Maurice Widdowson, owner of Islander Hopper, is heading up another sub-committee to organise the work experience programme, which involves the youths.
Some of the highlights of the week are the Market Place, scheduled for the Friday of the week, where National Carnival 2006-7 will be launched. Local hotel proprietors, Tour Operators will be reminding the locals of the rates geared at them.
Also on that same day will be a T-SHIRT day where businesses will be approached to pledge their support for the week by purchasing T-shirts promoting the industry and wearing them on that day. Private individuals can also pledge their support and purchase a T-shirt.
Earlier in the week there will be a work shop on Marine Parks in St. Kitts and in Nevis; an effective speaking competition (youths); a primary school quiz; Tourism Awards dinner and more.
