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Contact:
Rose Marie Harris
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 –
Caribbean countries, the Dominican Republic and Saint Lucia have plans to
address the sustainability of the Caribbean's tourism industry following the
2007 World Leadership Awards, produced by Counterpart International in New York
City last week.
Lelei LeLaulu, President of the non-governmental organisation, confirmed that
two of the five honorees. President of the Dominican Republic Leonel Fernández,
and Saint Lucia's Minister for Tourism Senator Allen Chastanet who is also the
current Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, are considering a
Pan-Caribbean Tourism strategy to use the region's multi-billion dollar tourism
revenues to combat poverty.
LeLaulu said Counterpart was delighted that its
laureates were "not sitting on their laurels but were actively assembling action
plans to increase the value of tourism to all stakeholders, including local
communities."
Regional marketing, Caribbean competitiveness, carbon footprints and tourism
linkages, were some of the key issues the two leaders are expected to explore in
the months ahead. Counterpart International and the Dominican Republic's Global
Foundation for Democracy and Development would be involved.
Senator Chastanet and President Fernández joined Paxton Baker, Executive Vice
President and General Manager of BET J and BET Digital Networks and President of
BET Event Productions; Public relations legend, David Finn, Co-founder and
Chairman of Ruder Finn; and the Caribbean's largest carrier Air Jamaica in
receiving Counterpart International's 2007 World Leadership Awards in New York
City last Wednesday.
"Integrating the Caribbean's tourism players is now an urgent priority," said
Senator Chastanet, who thanked Counterpart for facilitating the exchange with
President Fernández. "The President is a sharp, visionary leader who can assist
us in regional efforts for self-determination and sustainable development by
embracing our cultural diversity and languages," said Chastanet, who had high
hopes for the future of Caribbean tourism with sensible leadership and concrete
action.
Addressing patrons at the Counterpart gala, President Fernández said, "The
Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, all of our countries are trying
to make a comeback (from the influence of European colonialism) and integrate
ourselves into the global economy through tourism, through foreign direct
investments, through the promotion of information and communication
technologies, through trade.
"Through different ways, we are trying to make a comeback and integrate
ourselves into the rest of the world – no more through slavery, no more through
exploitation; it is now through pride, through a sense of dignity, through a
sense of recognition of cultural identity. I think we as brothers and sisters
can keep on this path, and I know the values of democracy, peace and social
justice are no more a dream or utopia."
Counterpart International, founded in 1965, gives people a voice in their own
future through smart partnerships, offering options and access to tools for
sustained social, economic and environmental development. Operating on five
continents, Counterpart is supported by the generosity of its corporate and
individual donors, foundations, host countries, multilateral institutions and
several U.S. government agencies.
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