The island of St Thomas will play host to the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Industry Conference in 2014, the CTO announced. The decision was announced last week at the 2013 edition of the conference, which was held this year on the French island of Martinique.

Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, and participating member resorts announced their continued financial support of the CTO Education Foundation.

Caribbean governments are being criticized for lack of political will to fast-track the regional marketing program, while the region struggles as a result of slow growth, unpredictable airlift and onerous taxation. Beverly Nicholson-Doty, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), hit out at Caribbean leaders for their gift of gab but lack of action.

During two full days of passionate exchanges delegates at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) will exchange ideas with leading Caribbean and international tourism experts on a range of elements that are critical to the development and success of the sector in the region. These include training and education, service quality, standards, visitor satisfaction, and regional transportation.

Secretary General of the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Hugh Riley has called for legislation to regulate the disposal of waste in Caribbean waters. Addressing the second Sustainable Conference here yesterday, Riley said the Caribbean had a responsibility to protect its water resources.