Janet Silvera, Senior Tourism Writer

Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, Allen Chastanet. - file

San Juan, Puerto Rico:

Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Senator Allen Chastanet, has challenged tourism ministers and marketers to aspire to make the region the 'premier tourist destination' in the world.

Addressing more than 630 delegates from across the globe at the opening ceremony of the 30th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-30) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday night, the CTO chairman said the time is ripe for the industry to both maximise its opportunities and face its challenges head on.

"We want to be innovators, not followers. I want to promise that, within three years, it will be the world that comes to the Caribbean for innovation."

He outlined two key elements to a successful tourism product for the region. "We must design plans that understand the perspective of the people of our Caribbean nations and plans that also understand the perspective of our customers. We don't want to build walls that impede our customers from experiencing our region but, instead, speak with one voice and build a bridge to our customers."

His comments were echoed by Secretary General of the CTO, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, whose message to delegates pinpointed a new era in the Caribbean, which requires tourism and the region to be primed and ready to embrace it.

CTC-30, organised by the CTO, is being held at the Puerto Rico Convention Centre in San Juan and will run through October 24, under the theme, 'The Next Generation: Learning From the Past, Preparing for the Future'.

Something special

"This year's conference theme embraces the ideals that resonate stronger than ever in our unyielding desire to continue the development of the tourism sector," said Vanderpool-Wallace. "There is no question from the meetings that have already taken place here that something special is happening for this region. So now, let us take what we do in the name of our individual countries and put it aside and, instead, let us begin thinking about what is best for the entire Caribbean."

Anibal Acevedo Vil, Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, summed up the comments of all the evening's speakers by noting, "We feel strongly that a rising tide lifts all boats and, with the competition being fierce, it is even more important than ever to work together as a region for the greater good. Puerto Rico is invested in the success of the Caribbean tourism industry."

Delegates in attendance at this year's conference will find a strong mix of informational sessions along with networking opportunities and the return of its popular trade show, which made its debut at least year's conference.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com