The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is planning a series of festive and exhilarating events to spice up Caribbean Week 2003 in New York City.
The event, scheduled for June 1-7, 2003, will range in scope from an inter-faith ceremony to a “Taste of the Caribbean” market fair in the heart of New York City.
Traditionally, Caribbean Week has been a week-long series of meetings attended by all categories of CTO’s membership including Ministers and Directors of Tourism, Chapter Presidents and Allied Members representing airlines, hoteliers, tour wholesalers, travel agents and other interested parties, who discuss ways to increase tourism in the region. 
However, CTO has decided to initiate a programme of consumer-focused events at Caribbean Week 2003, in an effort to generate interest amongst the general public.
“The Caribbean represents a unique collection of countries which celebrate and rejoice in the spirit of life in their own special way and CTO wants to share these distinctive characteristics with everyone attending Caribbean Week and with New York-area residents to ensure that they all get a true feel of what the Caribbean is really like,” stated Hugh Riley, CTO’s director of marketing for the Americas. 
To kick-off the week, CTO will host a special inter-faith church ceremony where Caribbean dignitaries, local advocates and Caribbean residents can come together and celebrate in the spirit of the Caribbean. 
Another innovation is the delightful “Taste of the Caribbean” - - an elaborate Food/Arts Street Festival in the heart of New York City featuring some of the region’s top chefs showcasing signature dishes from their respective countries.
The Fifth Annual Media Marketplace will bring together representatives of CTO Governments, hoteliers and journalists in a trade show business setting followed by a festive cocktail party.
One of the most highly anticipated events at Caribbean Week is the Governments of the Caribbean State Ball. This glitzy black-tie occasion, which serves as a culmination of Caribbean Week, features the best of Caribbean entertainment and food. The Ball will take place at the Waldorf Astoria on Friday, June 6, 2003. CTO plans to use this opportunity to honour individuals who have had a positive impact on Caribbean tourism. Winners of the inaugural CTO Travel Writers Contest will also receive their awards at the Ball.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with headquarters in Barbados and marketing operations in New York, London and Toronto, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency and comprises membership of 32 governments and a myriad of private sector companies.
The CTO’s mission is to provide to and through its members, the services and information needed for the development of sustainable tourism for the economic and social benefit of the Caribbean people.  The organization provides specialized support and technical assistance to member countries in the areas of marketing, human resource development, research and statistics and sustainable development.
The CTO disseminates information on behalf of its member governments to consumers and the travel trade.
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