[Fwd: MEDIA TO RECEIVE TOURISM FELLOWSHIPS]

MEDIA TO RECEIVE TOURISM FELLOWSHIPS

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (February 5, 2002) -- The Caribbean Media Exchange
on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx) announced fellowships for Caribbean and
international journalists interested in participating in the second
edition of this innovative meeting which enlists media specialists in
the design of sustainable tourism.

Slated for the Bahamas in May, CMEx will focus on the business and
economic aspects of sustainable tourism in the region.

A major goal of CMEx is to enhance information flows to strengthen
awareness of the importance of sustainable tourism within the national
economies and communities of the region.

According to John Bell, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of
the Caribbean Hotel Association, journalists must be part of national
and regional efforts to integrate the tourism process so that
communities feel a sense of ownership and responsibility. "Accurate,
valuable sustainable tourism information can directly contribute to
sound policy decisions by governments, the private sector and civil
society."

The success of the CMEx process, he said, is its ability to transport
journalists right into the development and design of tourism policies
which will empower Caribbean people from all walks of
life.

The next CMEx, slated for Nassau in May, will draw media people for an
examination of the business aspects of sustainable tourism with topics
ranging from measuring tourism growth, the economic impact of HIV/AIDS
on the sector, tapping the African American market, cruise tourism,
community tourism, regional marketing and the business of eco-tourism.

About 40 writers, editors and broadcasters from Caribbean island
nations, the US and Europe will converge in Nassau for the event.
Several high-profile speakers are expected to excite participants with
their dynamism and creative genius. Last year's inaugural event was
held at Beaches Grande Sport in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

The CMEx team comprises Air Jamaica, Washington DC-based Counterpart
International and EarthVoice; Barbados-headquartered Counterpart
Caribbean and Caribbean Broadcasting Union; and San Juan-based Caribbean
Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, Caribbean Hotel Association and Great
Places in the Caribbean.

Fellowship Applications can be completed and sent to:

Lorraine J. Ortiz-Valc=E1rcel
Communications Director
Caribbean Hotel Association
1000 Ponce de Le=F3n Ave., 5th Floor
San Juan, PR 00907
T + 1 787 725 9139, ext. 244
F + 1 787 725 9108
lortiz@caribbeanhotels.org

Application form is attached.

Application deadline is February 27, 2002.

CMEx is being supported by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.
Received on Thu Feb 21 17:06:27 2002