Nevis launches 2008 Tourism Youth Congress
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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| Ashlee Paris, winner of the local 2007 Tourism Youth Congress |
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – IN preparation for the Caribbean Tourism Congress scheduled for October 2008, the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in Nevis, launched the local Tourism Youth Congress at a Cocktail Reception held at the Oualie Beach Hotel on Saturday, April 19.
The Youth Tourism Congress will be held at the Nevis Cultural Centre on May 9 and the winner will be chosen from students representing the Charlestown Secondary School (CSS), Gingerland Secondary School (GSS) and Lyn Jeffers Secondary School.
Participating students are: Stefan Ahmed Murrell and Sasha Lloyd of Lyn Jeffers; Kendra Pemberton, Lawrencia Powell and Dylon Browne of GSS; and Shelisia Glasford and J’Rose Daniel of CSS. Gingerland Secondary has selected a standby student, but only two students will represent each school.
The students will be required to assume the role of Junior Minister of Tourism. They will also be required to name two major ideas/activities that they would recommend in order to put a serious focus on climate change and its impact on the tourism sector in their country.
The Premier of Nevis, Hon Joseph Parry, led other officials to encourage and coach students on winning tips. Parry told the participating students he was pleased to see that the congress has attracted two male students. Only females participated in last year’s competition.
“I am happy to see the resurgence of the male,” Premier Parry said.
He said tourism should be promoted in positive ways. “We have to make sure it is handled well.” The Premier said if Nevis is not kept clean, tourists will be put off. He called on Nevisians to keep their island clean and declared that a lot of money is being invested on ensuring it is kept that way.
He said as they debate from the position of a Junior Minister, the students should see themselves first as a full minister. He advised them to seek views from other persons. ~~Adz:Right~~
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Tyrone O’ Flaherty told the participants that the island had stood out through the outstanding performance of Ashlee Paris.
Ashley Paris of CSS was last year’s winner of the Nevis Youth Congress and she represented the island at the regional Annual Caribbean Tourism Organisation/Travel and Leisure Youth Congress. She is the incumbent “Junior Minister of Tourism”, Nevis.
However, in 2007, Emerald Williams of the Basseterre High School outshone 16 other Caribbean students to emerge winner of the debate at the 30th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Joseph Wiltshire told the participants to realise that they would be representing Nevis at the Congress and called on them to consult as much as possible to build their knowledge base.
Also present at the launch was the Tourism Advisor, Nevis, Alastair Yearwood, who said he was impressed by students’ performance last year. He said initiatives, as the one launched, went a long way to expose youth and the local people to the tourism industry.
He called on officials to create greater awareness of the industry to teachers and praised the Ministry of Tourism officials for organising a field trip to St. Kitts for Grade Four students in Prospect School last week. Yearwood also stressed that domestic tourism should be encouraged.
Research and Documentation Officer, Ministry Tourism, Vanesa Webbe, who is the Coordinator of the 2008 Tourism Youth Congress, said the aim of the local Congress is to prepare the students for the regional conference.
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| Students who will participate at the local 2008 Tourism Youth Congress on May 9, 2008 |
[L-R] Mr. Joseph Wiltshire, Premier of Nevis Joseph Parry, Alastair Yearwood and Tyrone O’Flaherty |
