Miami, FL (June 28, 2002) - Is the Caribbean losing a lot of money because of its inability to market the region with a clearer voice? That`s one of the major issues facing participants at the next Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx).
The Autumn CMEx session will also examine the effects of sex tourism, HIV/AIDS and the need to educate all sectors of communities on the benefits and pitfalls of tourism. The connection between luxury tourism and sustainable practices will also be reviewed.

Organisers say CMEx III is slated for the island of Jamaica this fall and will focus on management and marketing aspects of the region`s most important industry. The first two editions of the exchange, held in Jamaica (2001) and the Bahamas (2002) respectively, focused on the green and business aspects of the tourism industry.

According to Air Jamaica`s vice president of marketing and sales, Allen Chastanet, the first two meetings were beneficial to all stakeholders in the industry. “CMEx has been designed with the Caribbean media and communities in mind, but it also has evolved into an important educational forum for private and public sector officials within the industry,” said Chastanet, who was recently named CHA`s “Allied Member of the Year”.

The airline executive explained that interest in CMEx is increasing among all stakeholders, and this fall`s meeting will include an exciting session where the hospitality industry will have an opportunity to quiz the media on contentious issues. “Understanding each other`s perspectives in developing this industry is critically important,” he said, calling for unity and transparency in tourism.

This fall`s conference, likely to be held in October, will feature a strong contingent of American, European and Caribbean-American media, in addition to the concentration of Caribbean writers, broadcasters and editors.
CMEx III will examine cooperative approaches to regional marketing; media and industry perspectives on sustainable tourism; the all-inclusive sector; sex tourism; the travel industry`s response to the HIV epidemic; luxury and sustainability issues; and community, culture, environmental
and agricultural linkages.

CMEx (http://www.mediaexchange.info/) is produced by Counterpart International, Air Jamaica, Life Needs the Caribbean, Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) and Caribbean Broadcasting Union.
Journalists interested in attending this meeting may contact Lorraine Ortiz at 787 725-9139 ([email protected]). Industry officials may contact Samira Cherrouk at 202 721-1577 or [email protected]
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