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Minister of State with responsibility for Tourism, Sports and Culture Hon. Richard Skerritt chats with runners before the start of the relay. |
Basseterre, St. Kitts (September 27, 2006): St. Kitts and Nevis joined countries around the world in observance of World Tourism Day which is celebrated today (September 27).
In marking the event, Minister of State with responsibility for Tourism, Sports and Culture Hon. Richard Skerritt told SKNIS that tourism keeps the world economy on the move.
"It (tourism) is number one in world trade, the largest export earner, and employs millions of people worldwide, including thousands in St. Kitts and Nevis," he said.
"Many of these jobs are in locally owned small or medium sized businesses which are the engines of development for a country's economy."
A road relay run marked the Federations observance of World Tourism Day. The island-wide relay began at Baker's Corner and concludes in the evening at the Circus.
The majority of the runners were drawn from public primary and secondary schools. Minister Skerritt explained that the students were perfect for this run.
"Tourism represents the biggest part of the economy of St. Kitts and Nevis and I think the young people of our country need to take part ownership of the tourism industry," he noted.
"We got the young people involved to try to indicate the strength of the future of tourism and to bring more awareness to young people that tourism is about everybody. It's about the entire country and it is about our future."
The Minister of Sport also revealed that the road relay was a collaborative effort and also symbolizes the start of the countdown to the largest sports tourism event to be held in the Caribbean.
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| Primary and secondary school students at the start of the relay at Baker's Corner. |
"This event is all about partnerships," Skerritt said referring to the assistance lent by the Department of Sport, and Education and the St. Kitts Tourism Authority as well as the support from the security forces, private sector and Reginald "Calypso Reggie" Thomas.
"Today also signals the final countdown to the (Cricket) World Cup which is a massive sports tourism event."
Matches for Cricket World Cup 2007 begin in March and the newly refurbished Warner Park Stadium will host first round matches for South Africa, Scotland, Holland and defending champions Australia.
Skerritt said he expects the entire population of St. Kitts and Nevis to seize the opportunity presented by the upcoming Cricket World Cup to put our beautiful islands on show to the world.
"World Tourism Day celebrations in St. Kitts should remind us of the need of our country to step up the urgency of our preparations to become ready to welcome the world," he stressed.
The World Tourism Day observance previews the activities for the October 08 to 14 commemoration of Tourism Week. The week will be launched during a press briefing on Monday (October 02) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Building on Horsfords Road.
Activities to be held include school quizzes, an arts and craft exhibition, food fair, church service and a tourism award banquet. Tourism Week will be held under the theme "Preserving Our Natural and Cultural Treasures: Key to Sustainability."
