An opportunity for a glimpse into the inner workings of the tourism industry is about to happen as the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) will provide live video streaming of its 30th annual conference.

The event in San Juan, Puerto Rico from Oct 21-24 will provide live video streaming of the news conferences hosted by Member Countries on Saturday 20 October 2007.

Educators throughout the Caribbean region are being urged to tune in live at no cost and provide students of all levels and ages the opportunity to see what is happening in the Caribbean’s most important industry.  All that is needed to tap into the live view of the conference is a computer and an Internet connection.

Tourism is the number one industry in the Caribbean and the leading economic earner for the people of the region, and this is an excellent opportunity for students to get a view into their future prospects.  This is important for youth of all ages, as it is never too early to learn about the opportunities to help your own communities make a better life for all.

Two of the central programmes at the 30th annual Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-30)- the Travel & Leisure Tourism Youth Congress and the Conde Nast Children’s Essay Contest - will focus focused on the youth of the Caribbean.

‘MY CARIBBEAN’ ESSAY CONTEST - 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Tues. Oct 23

Condé Nast Traveler “My Caribbean” Essay Contest, now in its 15th year, is one of the highlights of the Caribbean Tourism Conference.  This contest was the first of its kind for Caribbean students.  Last year Condé Nast Traveler awarded the Grand prize winner, 9-year-old Joseph Archibald-Bowers of British Virgin Islands, a $2,000 scholarship.  Two runners-up, Jasherel Wielzen of Suriname and Joshua Tuson of Grenada, each received a $500 scholarship.  In addition, the winning essay was featured in the January 2007 issue of Condé Nast Traveler.

This annual contest is part of a tourism awareness programme for students between the ages of 8 and 12.  Each essay finalist gets a chance to attend the Caribbean Tourism Conference and receives an eye-opening experience into the world of tourism.  The contest, sponsored by Condé Nast Traveler, the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and American Airlines, educates primary school children in the Caribbean about the importance of tourism to their country’s economy.

TOURISM YOUTH CONGRESS - 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Wed Oct 24

The Youth Congress is sponsored by Travel+Leisure Magazine along with Air Jamaica and the Naismith Basketball Foundation.  The goal is to stimulate greater awareness and excitement about tourism among young people in the Caribbean.  The programme allows the participating youth to research various facets of the tourism sector and to share their ideas and vision for the future direction of Caribbean Tourism. 

The session simulates a “Congress” of CTO Tourism Ministers where the young delegates from various countries across the region perform the role of “Junior Ministers of Tourism” and share their views.

The Tourism Youth Congress has been one of the best-attended events of the Caribbean Tourism Conference and has been termed by many attendees as a highlight of their week.  These youth have inspired Ministers and Directors of Tourism to take a fresh look at some of the tourism policies in their own nations. 

CTO will provide live video streaming of both the Essay Contest and the Youth Congress, as well as other CTC-30 sessions.

To view the sessions live or to access the audio, visit www.insidethecaribbean.com or www.onecaribbean.org
——-