Organizers of this popular regional media and tourism gathering have indicated that the upcoming edition of CMEx which target journalists, editors and young leaders from the Caribbean, North America and Europe as well as development specialists and representatives of the hospitality, civil society and government sectors is shaping up to be one of the most exciting. A number of interesting panel discussions aimed at addressing linkages between the various sectors will be held. These include: faith based tourism, culture and cuisine - exploring the links with agriculture as well as tourism and education.
The conference gets underway on Friday, October 1 after a welcome reception on Thursday, September 30 at the Spanish Court Hotel. On Saturday, October 2, delegates will tour Kingston and participate in community outreach activities at Maxfield Park Children's Home as well as Kintyre Basic School. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett will deliver the keynote address during lunch on Sunday, October 3 which will be followed by the closing dinner later that evening.
"We are excited to learn of the interest that the Kingston edition of CMEx has generated and look forward to the stimulating discussions which will ensue due to the lively and thought-provoking exchange of ideas," said John Lynch, Director of Tourism and Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board who will open the conference on Friday, October 1. "We thank our tourism and media partners for their participation as we seek to chart the best way forward for tourism in the region."
Conference planners have put together an interesting mix of panels and speakers to ensure all delegates attending CMEx XIX have a memorable and rewarding experience. "We are most encouraged by the support we have received throughout the Caribbean for CMEx and the region's sustainable tourism agenda. We look forward to solution-oriented deliberations and to making a positive contribution in local communities during our visit to Jamaica," said Bevan Springer, President of the Caribbean Media Exchange.
Since 2001, the (CMEx) has produced 18 conferences and symposia throughout the Caribbean and North America to underscore the value of the region's largest industry, tourism, in improving the health, education, culture, environment and wealth of Caribbean communities, at home and abroad, in a sustainable fashion.
The upcoming CMEx meeting is supported by the Jamaica Tourist Board and Jamaica's Ministry of Tourism. Additional contributors include: Air Jamaica/Caribbean Airlines, Altamont Court Hotel, American Airlines, Anse Chastanet Resort, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Barbara Pyle Foundation, Bay Gardens Resorts, British Virgin Islands Tourist Board, Caribbean Business Enterprise Trust, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Caribbean Tourism Organization, CaribWorldNews, Choice Hotels International, Coco Palm, Community Benefit Development, Courtleigh Hotel & Suites, 4P Group, Jade Mountain, Knutsford Court Hotel, LIAT, Marketplace Excellence, Mayberry Investments Ltd., michael D. communications, RIU Hotels & Resorts, Ruder Finn, Saint Lucia Tourist Board, Scotchies Tree, Spanish Court Hotel, Spirit Airlines, SuperClubs, Strawberry Hill, St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF), The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Tourism Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago, U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, Wyndham Kingston Jamaica and The SpeakEasy M.E.D.I.A. Foundation.
About the Jamaica Tourist Board
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica's national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. The JTB was declared the Caribbean's Leading Tourist and Convention Bureau by the World Travel Awards (WTA) from 2006 to 2009, while Jamaica earned the WTA's vote as the World's Leading Cruise Destination, the Caribbean's Leading Destination and the Caribbean's Leading Cruise Destination, for the third consecutive year.
JTB offices are located in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Düsseldorf, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Tokyo.
For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB's Web site at www.visitjamaica.com, Follow the JTB on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitjamaica, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/visitjamaicanow or on YouTube at www.youtube.com/aboutjamaicajtb.
