Caribbean Week 2009 came back to New York City with flying colors, the colors of the Caribbean and its multitude of cultures and historic values. One of the island nations that basked in the Big Apple limelight was no doubt Anguilla and Caribbean News Digital’s Indiana Monteverde sat down with Victor Banks, the country’s minister of Finance, Economic Development, Investment and Tourism. In this exclusive interview, Mr. Banks broached a number of issues that certainly lay out the marketing strategies of today and tomorrow for that beautiful Caribbean destination.

To mark Russia’s Day and the grand opening of its high-peak travel season, the Russian embassy in Madrid launched “Russia: Travel Choices”, a presentation pieced together by different travel industry companies that was attended by the country’s deputy minister of Tourism, Sports and Youth, Alexander Radkov. In an exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital, this is what Mr. Radkov had to say.

Jamaica’s Carol Hay was recently tapped by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) as the new Marketing Director for the UK and European markets. This veteran professional, who has worked in tourism for a number of years, has a Master’s Degree in Marketing and a Bachelor Degree in Administration. She has also served stints at the Jamaica’s Trade and Investment Agency and the Jamaica Tourist Board. Prior to joining CTO, Mrs. Hay was employed by the government of Antigua and Barbuda in the UK as Director of Tourism for the United Kingdom and Europe.

A week and a half ago we had the opportunity to visit Bermuda for the first time as per the Annual Caribbean Hotel and Investment Conference, which we have been covering profusely on CDN. As expected, the organization of the event was the best. The food was supreme. The tourism board very professional, but we need to confess that getting in touch with the VIPs was not an easy thing to do.

A week and a half ago we had the opportunity to visit Bermuda for the first time as per the Annual Caribbean Hotel and Investment Conference, which we have been covering profusely on CDN. As expected, the organization of the event was the best. The food was supreme. The tourism board very professional, but we need to confess that getting in touch with the VIPs was not an easy thing to do.

For quite a number of years, Hugh Riley acted as Marketing Director for the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) until he was appointed Interim Secretary General following the departure of Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace and the passing of Arley Sobers. In this exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital in Bermuda, where he attended the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC), this seasoned industry professional talked about what his organization’s upcoming Caribbean Week in New York and the second Caribbean Tourism Summit slated for Washington DC, both events in the month of June, as well all major challenges for the region in terms of marketing and opportunities amid the ongoing financial crisis.