Q & A with Hugh Riley, Secretary General of CTO

San Juan de Puerto Rico (Special for Caribbean News Digital) – Wrapping up the last day (May 7, 2010) of the CHTIC, we have the input of the Secretary General of the CTO, Mr. Hugh Riley, commenting that this was an “extremely stimulating conference with excellent information, views, opinions and overall very encouraging for us.”

Cuba was on everyone’s agenda, with the panel and Mrs. Emily Morris from the U.K. looking at its position now and in the future, along with an interesting and in-depth evaluation of the environment in which tourism operates in the Caribbean.

With more than 300 delegates attending, the breakdown of the number of investors is yet unknown and will require sitting down with CHTA and analyzing the attendees, noted Mr. Riley.

Looking ahead to the Sustainable Tourism Conference, beginning May 9th in Barbados, Mr. Riley said the underlying theme will be the “Right Balance,” i.e., “as increased economic development is the goal it has to be measured to the existing environment and its resources. We’re not just talking about green tourism, climate changes, degradation of plant and marine life, all are part of it, we’re talking about everything that affects the sustainability of the tourism industry, including alternate and renewable energy sources along with the impact on the islanders.”

Geotourism will be discussed by National Geographic’s Jonathan Tourtellot, Director, Center for Sustainable Destinations. This looks at the effects of tourism on the environment and how interdependent our world has become. As noted by Hugh Riley, “we don’t work in silos, we are interdependent, this world has become a smaller place.”

Mr. Riley lastly gave thanks to the Puerto Rican Tourism Company and its Executive Director, Mr. Jaime Lopez Diaz, CTO and CHA and to the hospitality of the Puerto Rican people.