A special session on disaster management and crisis preparedness will be the centerpiece on the agenda of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 29th annual Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-29), set for October 22 to 25 at the Westin and Sheraton Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Resort in the Bahamas. Presenters will discuss how to identify and manage short and long-term risks, reduce the impact of natural and manmade hazards and devise strategies to mitigate the damage.

Delegates attending the Caribbean´s the 29th annual Caribbean Tourism Conference to be held in the Bahamas from October 22 to 25, will examine tourism risk management models as practical planning and management tools for disasters, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) said last week. The planned special session on risk management is “one of several master classes planned to afford delegates the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge on areas that are critical to the sustainability and development of the tourism sector,” according to the CTO.

Canada´s Toronto will be able to experience the sights, sounds, colors, culture and unique vacation attributes of the Caribbean with the celebration of Caribbean Week from October 12 through 15, 2006. Arranged by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Caribbean Week 2006 features a series of events highlighting the Caribbean vacation experience, food and entertainment.

The International Tourism Fair of Paraguay –FITPAR- will have its new edition between November 18 and 19, organized by the Paraguayan Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies. This event counts on the support of the National Secretary of Tourism, while TAM Mercosur will be the official transportation company and the Sheraton Asuncion will be the hotel venue.

Peruvian tourism officials are stepping up preparations for the sixth edition of the Latin American Travel Trade Mart, slated to take place in Lima, the South American nation´s capital. The main objective of this event is to promote Peru and Latin America among tourism professionals from both the turf and the entire world.

Tourism authorities in Mexico´s Mayan Riviera are already announcing the Fourth Annual Latin Jazz Music Festival, set to take place from November 22 to 25 in Playa del Carmen. This event is one of many festivals organized by the Mayan Riviera Tourism Promotion Board and will feature top jazz performers Screaming Headless Torsos, Aguamala, Mint Condition, Wet Paint, Kool & The Gang and Tom Coster.