Tourism/media talks on

WESTERN BUREAU:

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM in the region was at the top of the agenda on the first day of Caribbean Media Exchange conference at the Beaches Grande Sport, Ocho Rios on Sunday.

"We need to integrate the interest of our civil societies into the interest of tourism... They must buy into the process, must know they play an integral part, it must be sustainable from within," said Patrick Cozier of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBU) in his opening remarks.

Mr. Cozier, the Secretary General of the CBU said the September 11 terror events in New York and Washington have forced the region to examine in greater detail how it allocates resources and promotes its varying products.

The media were also urged to become partners in the tourism industry.

"The media, as guardians of the public information process, enjoy a privileged position of needy and constant access to the eyes, ears and minds of our regional societies. It is therefore incumbent upon us to develop a structured and balanced engagement between the tourism sector and our citizens, for sustainable development," said Mr. Cozier.

Throughout the day it was reiterated that the Caribbean media must reinforce the positive impacts of tourism on sustainable development objectives. Sustainable Tourism was defined as "the optimal use of natural, cultural, social and financial resources for national development on an equitable and self-sustaining basis" in order to provide a unique visitor experience and an improved quality of life through partnerships among all investors.

The conference, organised by the Caribbean Hotel Organisation (CHA), Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), Air Jamaica and the CBU, is being held from October 6-10.

Seminars will include workshops on eco-tourism, tourism challenges, HIV/AIDS and the threat to the tourism industry, tourism and telecommunications, the Caribbean's future and a new strategy for the Caribbean.

More than 77 participants are registered for the conference, including 40 journalists representing most of the Caribbean islands.

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