BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 27TH 2005 President of the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Chen Shiu-bian, who arrived here Tuesday afternoon on a two-day State Visit, and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas, will address the Grand Opening Ceremony of the 12th Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Conference and Trade Show at the St. Kitts Marriott Hotel on Wednesday morning.
Over 1200 delegates including 200 top cruise line executives from Carnival, MSC Cruise, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd; Ministers of Tourism from across the Caribbean, Colombia, Mexico and Guatemala, are attending the Conference, which this year, has attracted the largest number of delegates.
Also attending the Opening Ceremony are St. Kitts and Nevis Governor General His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian; the President of Colombia, His Excellency Alvaro Uribe Velez and the Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, the Hon. Charles Turnbull.
The Ceremony, which will be chaired by FCCA President Ms. Michele Paige, will also be addressed by FCCA Chairman and President of Carnival Cruise Lines, Mr. Mickey Arison.
Paige will also introduce the FCCA Essay Contest Winners Dillion Charles Card of the Turks and Caicos Islands (Junior Division) and Jelani Ashton Philip Paul of St. Lucia (Senior Division).
The Opening Ceremony line up also includes Larry Vaughan singing the National Anthem; Pastor Ben Brown, the Invocation; a Selection by the Sandy Point High School Choral Group, a Presentation by the Okolo Tegramantine Dance Theatre and the Vote of Thanks by Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Ms. Christine Walwyn.
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| Republic of China President His Excellency Chen Shui-Bian being introduced to St. Kitts and Nevis' Minister of Health, the Hon. Rupert Herbert |
Prime Minister Douglas said the hosting of the FCCA Conference is a sign of confidence placed in the Government and the People of this country, especially those are responsible for the development of the tourism sector here in St. Kitts & Nevis.
Other participants include Directors of Tourism, tour operators, taxi drivers, cruise ship agents, restaurateurs, port officials and businessmen and women
Other high officials are Turks and Caicos Islands Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Michael Missick.
Honourable Ministers of Tourism down to attend are Antiguas Harold Lowell; the Bahamas Obie H. Wilchcombe; the Cayman Charles Clifford, who is accompanied by Minister of Communications, Hon. Arden McLean; Colombias Luis Guillermo Plata; Dominicas Yvor Nassief; Grenadas Brenda Hood; Honduras Thierry de Pierrefeu; Nevis, Malcolm Guishard; St. Kitts Richard Skerritt, St. Lucias Phillip Pierre and Netherlands Antilles, Ivar Asjes.
Commissioners of Tourism, Burney El Hage of Bonaire; St. Maartens Theo Heyliger; and Pamela Richards of the United States Virgin Islands.
Barbados, Martinique, Mexico and Puerto Rico are also sending senior officials.
