Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) chairman Richard Skerritt has been confirmed to address a Word Travel Market (WTM) forum on responsible tourism.

Skerritt will speak on the role of government in making tourism more sustainable.

The panel, which forms part of the WTM programme for World Responsible Tourism Day, will also comprise representatives from the South African central government and the government of the Indian state of Kerala, as well as a representative from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Sustainable tourism development was engrained in CTO’s mission when the statement was crafted over two decades ago.

The organisation’s mission statement is “to provide to and through its members, the services and information necessary for the development of sustainable tourism, for the social and economic benefit of the people of the Caribbean”.

In addition, CTO has a clear sustainable tourism strategy that recognises the delicate balance between economic benefit and the preservation of assets, including natural assets.

This strategy defines sustainable tourism development as “the optimal use of natural, cultural, social and financial resources for national development on an equitable and self-sustaining basis, to provide a unique visitor experience and an improved quality of life through partnerships among governments, the private sector and communities”.

The hour-long discussion will take place on Tuesday November 8th at the Excel Exhibition Centre in London, the home of World Travel Market.