Antigua-Barbuda PM supports regional marketing campaign for tourism
ROSEAU, Dominica — Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer urged CARICOM Heads to stop the talk and make a move towards the direction of the launch of a regional marketing campaign for tourism.
It was in July of 2008 that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government agreed to set up a US$60 million fund which would be used for marketing the region’s tourism as a diverse, single product.
PM Spencer seen here in discussion with the Prime Ministers of Barbados and St Kitts-Nevis. Photo Eldean Eudelle
The funding source for this programme was subsequently determined to be a mechanism involving either direct contributions from member countries or a ticket tax. It was further determined that this fund would be managed by the Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC), which is a joint venture company by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA).
After meetings with member countries and discussions with the cruise lines’ representatives, CTO deduced that the amounts likely to be realized –based on 2007 tourist arrivals – would be approximately $54 million if all CARICOM and non-CARICOM countries participated.
Spencer says that he supports the thrust and is urging member states to be clear on the directions of the marketing programme.
During discussions on the matter at Thursday’s session of the two day 21st CARICOM Intercessional Heads of Government meeting currently being held in Roseau, Dominica, PM Spencer called on his colleagues to support the initiative and to be serious as heads of government who have the responsibility for clear determination on moving forward with the campaign.
“The intention is to establish a Caribbean Tourism Development Corporation and countries would be represented,” Prime Minister Spencer reminded his fellow heads. He said that the campaign would guarantee a pool of resources to boost the funding of tourism marketing.
After being a matter on the agenda of CARICOM Heads for a couple of years now, the heads are describing the Regional Marketing Campaign for Tourism as a sound way forward and have agreed to the concept and the to the regional mechanism and have asked the Ministers of Tourism of the region to proceed with implementation.
Source: Caribbean Net News
