Ministry of Tourism Prepares for Tourism Awareness Month

BASSETERRE (24th September, 2009): An exciting lineup of activities is scheduled for this year’s Tourism Awareness Month, which takes place in October. 

According to Lloyd Lazar, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Tourism Awareness Month is designed to give the public a greater understanding of how the tourism industry affects their lives.

He said that the tourism awareness month is organized yearly to create “a linkage with public and private sectors and to reinforce the need to preserve the natural environment, which is fundamental for tourism development.”  

This year’s calendar of activities will feature an Island Torch run on the 2nd October, which will include participation from school children. 

Lazar said that a church service at the Methodist Church in Old Road will be organized. He explains that this church was chosen to strengthen the concept that rural communities also experience tremendous benefits from the Federation’s blossoming tourism industry.

Another exciting activity is the launch of the extended British Airways services to St. Kitts-Nevis. The airline, which at the moment makes a weekly stop to St. Kitts, will expand its services to twice weekly visits to the Federation early next year.

Plans for a seminar on tourism are scheduled for 7th October, and will be organized by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), with discussions focusing on agriculture and tourism linkages and accountability.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CIC) will also host a workshop for small and medium enterprises.

School children will take part in panel discussions and interactive sessions with tourism professionals on the impact of tourism.
Also, a work experience program will assign high school and college students to various internships in the tourism industry.

Persons and organizations, who have made outstanding contributions in the tourism industry will be treated to an awards ceremony on the 24th October, to celebrate their efforts in establishing the Federation’s tourism product.

The annual Chef of the Year and Bartenders Competition, organized by the St. Kitts-Nevis Hotel and Tourism Association, is slated for 28th October. 

A market place and eat local promotion, school steel pan competition as well as the launch of the National Carnival 2009/10 is lined up for 30th  October.

Lazar said that the month of activities has received an outpouring of support from the private sector. He was also grateful for their continued support in promoting and developing St. Kitts-Nevis in the hospitality industry.