Caribbean Prime Ministers to Attend CHA Tourism Conference

Three Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government have so far agreed to participate in a Prime Ministers Forum on the Caribbean Tourism at the annual Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference (CHIC), which for the first time will be held out of the Caribbean Basin.

The conference is scheduled to run June 26 through 29, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Miami. President of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), Bertha Parle, said the two-hour form would highlight the opening session on June 27.

The chairman of the forum will be the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Perry Christie, while Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Denzil Douglas and St. Lucia´s Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny Anthony, are also expected to participate, the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) reported.

Parle said that such a forum would send a powerful signal to all the stakeholders and the constituents of the tourism industry, which is the economic lifeblood of most CARICOM countries.

It will clearly demonstrate the significance of the tourism industry and the role it plays in the economic development of the broader Caribbean, and will unleash the necessary forces in order to maximize its full potential, Parle added.

The Caribbean Hotel Association will also be inviting other Caribbean

Government leaders to participate in the gathering. Plans for the event will be finalized at the CHA´s 9th annual Investment Conference and Profit Partnership meeting scheduled for Barbados from May 8 to 11.