Bermuda to host sustainable tourism conference

Bermuda will host the 12th annual Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC 12) from April 3 – 6, 2011.

Theme: “Keeping the Right Balance: Rising above the Numbers”

In a symbolic passing of the “baton”, Bermuda’s Junior Tourism Minister Marc Bean received the CTO Sustainable Tourism Mahogany Scroll from the Permanent Secretary in the Barbados Ministry of Tourism, Andrew Cox, confirming Bermuda as host of the 12th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC-12).

“We are honoured to host STC-12 in Bermuda,” said Sen. Bean at a news conference later. “We look forward to an action-based programme that builds on the recommendations coming out of STC-11.”

Although Caribbean tourism has achieved much over the past 10 years in spite of ongoing global and regional challenges, the region must prepare itself for the industry’s evolution over the next 10 years. How should Caribbean tourist destinations strategically plan to build upon their successes, capitalize on future trends and become more globally competitive and sustainable?

These are the questions that the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 12th Annual Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC-12) themed “Sustainable Tourism – Rising Above the Numbers” will seek to answer. Specifically, the critical issues of understanding the next generation of experiential travellers, attracting and developing adequate regional human resource capacity to manage the industry efficiently and provide excellent service as well as strategies to marry profitability with sustainability in the new green economy will be addressed. STC-12 will be hosted by the Government of Bermuda from 3-6 April, 2011.

Through a mix of Workshop and Panel Discussion Sessions, STC-12 will gather leading local, regional and international tourism experts and practitioners at this critical crossroad for the regional tourism industry. Informative and exciting study tours to attraction-packed sites, including the charming UNESCO World Heritage town of St. George and the well-planned Royal Naval Dockyard area, will expose delegates to the rich history, local culture and scenic beauty of Bermuda, complemented by the warm hospitality of Bermudians. Delegates can also expect an interesting Stakeholder Speakout Session which will provide an appreciation of and opportunity to contribute to the dialogue on issues that are pertinent to the sustainability of Bermuda’s tourism industry.

In celebration of the International Year of Youth and International Year of Biodiversity, special consideration will be given to the role of Caribbean youth in tourism sustainability during a Special Session. STC-12 will also showcase some successful sustainable tourism initiatives from the Caribbean and draw from those that emanate further afield.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization has been staging its Annual Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, otherwise known as the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC) since 1997.  This Conference is part of the information dissemination and regional awareness component of CTO’s Strategy for Sustainable Tourism. It looks at how member states can design and implement sustainable tourism policies and programs, offering a regional forum for information exchange on the successes and pitfalls of national, regional and international initiatives.

STC also serves as a primary arena where new and creative ideas about enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the Caribbean tourism product are generated.

This is a Conference from which everyone involved in doing business in and with the Caribbean can benefit.  It comprises a comprehensive and dynamic program which includes an elite group of presenters who will share best practice ideas on critical issues among them:

• Understanding the next generation of experiential travellers
• Attracting and developing adequate regional human resource capacity to manage the industry efficiently
• Providing excellent service as well as strategies to marry profitability with sustainability in the new green economy.

Valere Tjolle
Valere Tjolle is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite – latest special offers:

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