Barbados’ Tourism Figures to Get Boost during ICAC’s Conference

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (ICAB) is doing its part to aid the influx of tourists into this country, as tourism figures are expected to rise in June when they host the 31st Annual Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC).

According to David Simpson, President of ICAB, it is expected that approximately 250 members of the accounting and financial services fraternity from around the Caribbean will meet another 300 of their local counterparts at the Hilton Barbados Hotel on June 27 for the two-day conference, which is expected to attract some leading local, regional and international speakers.

During a press launch held at the Hilton Hotel yesterday, Simpson noted that conference organizers are well on their way in meeting the target of about 500 delegates. He however lamented the fact that the organizers were not able to target more delegates, suggesting that a bigger facility is needed to accommodate additional people in the future. He did state that with the number delegates coming, Barbados will gain just over US$450 000 in revenue, just shy of Bds$1 million, and this figure does not include the revenue gathered from local participants.

With a working theme of “Global Challenges, Regional Solutions”, attendance at the conference will go towards professional credits for those registering and present at the meetings, which include technical sessions on Audit and Public Sector Accounting, Management Accounting and Internal Audits, as well as sessions on Renewable Energy, Regional Air Transport and Feeding CARICOM.

Delegates will be invited to attend plenary and breakout sessions, as well as panel discussions covering a range of issues, including Gender Diversity in the Boardroom, Employee Engagement, Caribbean Tourism Outlook and Caribbean Growth and Competitiveness.

The 31st Annual Caribbean Conference is sponsored by a number of corporate entities, including the large accounting firms of Barbados.