Eastern Caribbean Tourism Ministers Discuss How to Foster the Industry

Ministers of Tourism from the sub-regional Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are meeting Thursday and Friday in Anguilla to discuss ways to foster the industry to further benefit these nine island states.

Their participation in the internationally acclaimed boat show in France, known as The Grand Pavois, was at the center piece of the discussions at the two day meeting.

The OECS groups the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, Anguilla and British Virgin Islands.

The OECS would be hosted as Guest of Honour at the event in September. Last year, OECS officials attended the event dubbed as

the biggest boat show in Europe, and attract a large number of visitors.

The Aguilla meeting would also examine the possibilities for expanding the council to incorporate a wider forum of ministers in the Eastern Caribbean.

The OECS Council of Tourism Ministers also embrace the Dutch and French Antilles islands in the region, and the Ministers would seek to approve a recommendation for the inclusion of the US Virgin Islands, the Secretariat said.

Also in the meeting´s agenda was to give consideration to a report on the best links between tourism and agriculture in the sub-region. In addition, the ministers will attempt to finalize the rules of procedure for the establishment of the council and discuss the OECS Secretariat´s tourism work program.