PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos, August 14, 2023 – Preparations for the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s much-anticipated State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) are well underway, with the program set to take place at The Shore Club Turks & Caicos on Providenciales from October 9-13, 2023.
CTO’s business meetings and destination media briefings will precede the official conference program, which features panel discussions spanning diverse themes – from tourism investment and financing to aviation competitiveness and the burgeoning film industry. CTO’s popular Caribbean Youth Congress also makes its return this year.
Neil Walters, CTO’s Acting Secretary General, anticipates a plethora of meaningful discussions and industry networking to unfold in Turks and Caicos. “SOTIC has traditionally been the CTO’s flagship event held in the Caribbean, and with its return this year under the leadership of our newly appointed Secretary General Dona Regis-Prosper, we are confident the forum will set the stage for sharpening our industry’s collective vision to become even stronger and more effective in positioning the Caribbean as the world’s leading destination for leisure as well as business travel.”
Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands, shared her pride in hosting the return of SOTIC after a hiatus of five years, stating, “The selection of Turks and Caicos reflects our dedication to hospitality and excellence. As the first major event being held under our new destination marketing and management organization, SOTIC is a significant opportunity for us to collectively shape the narrative of our region’s growth in a post-COVID environment.”
“As Minister of Tourism and Vice Chair of the group of British Overseas countries and territories within the Caribbean Tourism Organization, your presence at SOTIC 2023 holds immense importance,” said Minister Connolly, as she extended a heartfelt invitation to delegates.
Minister Connolly looks forward to showcasing the captivating beauty of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Territory’s dedication to sustainable tourism development. She underscored the potent impact of coordinated action and regional collaboration that conveys a strong message of unity to stakeholders within and beyond the region’s borders.
For further details as the event draws near, visit https://sotic.onecaribbean.org.
About the Caribbean Tourism Organization
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), headquartered in Barbados, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency, comprising membership of the region’s finest countries and territories, including Dutch-, English- and French-speaking, as well as a range of private sector allied members. The CTO’s vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year-round, warm-weather destination, and its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism – One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean.
Among the benefits to its members, the organization provides specialized support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, event planning & execution, and research & information technology.
The CTO’s headquarters is located at Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados BB 22026; Tel: (246) 427-5242; E-mail: CTObarbados@caribtourism.com.
For more information about the Caribbean Tourism Organization, visit www.OneCaribbean.org and follow CTO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to be part of the conversation.
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SOUTH ANDROS COMES ALIVE OVER HOLIDAY WEEKEND
GUEST COMMENTARY: BY EUREKA McKINNEY
SOUTH ANDROS — The community of South Andros came alive over the long August 4 –7 holiday weekend as guests and family members of South Andros descent from across The Bahamas and the United States gathered to take part in the Goombay Summer Festival and South Andros Family Reunion.
The South Andros and Mangrove Cay Ministry of Tourism Office kicked off its annual Goombay Summer Festival on Friday evening, August 4, at the Regatta Site at The Bluff. Festivalgoers were transported by bus from the various settlements to join in the festivities. This event showcased the rich Androsian culture through live music, dance performances, cultural games, competitions and authentic local cuisine. Food vendors did a brisk business serving up crab ‘n dough, stuffed crab backs, crab soup, crab ‘n rice, conch freegagy, minced lobster and fried fish, to name a few.
In a series of fun competitions, festivalgoers were thrilled to display their skills in coconut barking, sugar cane peeling, crab catching, and conch cracking. The youth were delighted by the rake ‘n scrape dance competition and crocus sack race.
The Family Reunion featured a slate of activities: Saturday, August 5. was Family Fun-Day Beach Picnic in the morning and an African & Dashiki wear Dinner Banquet that evening. A special church service and brunch took place on Sunday, August 6., and the event closed out with a farewell breakfast on Monday, August 7.
Historically, August is a slower month for touristic activity on the island. The Family Reunion and Goombay Summer Festival together successfully attracted approximately 300 visiting family members and guests to South Andros, giving them the opportunity to reconnect and strengthen ties to their heritage through festival participation.
The South Andros and Mangrove Cay Tourism Team includes: Ms. Eureka McKinney, Mr. McRoy Wilson and Mr. Christopher Smith.
The Family Reunion Committee includes: Mr. Michael Thompson, Ms. Donnelisa Dorsett, Mr. Carnard Bethell, Mr. Litfield Rolle, Ms. Margie Mckinney and Mr. Otaine Woodside.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Eureka McKinney is the Assistant Manager of the Andros Tourist Office of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation
See article in BAHAMAS CHRONICLE at https://bahamaschronicle.com/south-andros-comes-alive-over-holiday-weekend/
