[Fwd: CARIBBEAN: CARIBBEAN WRITERS REWARDED]

From: Lorraine Ortiz <lortiz@caribbeanhotels.org>
06/05/2002 08:21 AM AST
Subject: CARIBBEAN WRITERS REWARDED

Contact: Samira Cherrouk
scherrouk@counterpart.org
(202) 721-1577

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CARIBBEAN WRITERS REWARDED

Photos available at:
http://www.mediaexchange.info/tmp/winner3.asp

WASHINGTON, DC (June 4, 2002) - The high caliber of entries
submitted to theCaribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism
(CMEx) indicates that theCaribbean communication community was
getting quality coverage on theregion's major earner, said an
organizer of the event.

Four Caribbean journalists were rewarded for their outstanding
penmanship atthe Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism
(CMEx) in Nassau,Bahamas (May 16-20).

Recognised for excellence in covering the business aspects of
tourism wereChelston Lovell, managing editor of the Caribbean
Broadcasting Corporationin Barbados; Guyanese Edwin Ali, travel
editor of the Miami-headquarteredCaribbean Today newspaper;
Yaniris Felipe, business writer with ListinDiario in the
Dominican Republic; and Johnson Johnrose from Dominica,
afreelance reporter and communications officer with the Barbados-
basedCaribbean Tourism Organisation.

A lot of the material rolling off the presses and the stories
seen andheard in the electronic media are becoming increasingly
thought-provokingand analytical," noted Lelei Lelaulu, president
and chief executive officerof Counterpart International, one of
the principal organizers of thebiannual media conference. He
added that these four "shining stars" deserveto be commended for
their hard work and perseverance, especially in theabsence of
regular media training.

LeLaulu, a former award-winning broadcaster in the Pacific
andlater, a correspondent with Cable News Network (CNN) and
United NationsTelevision, said he is hopeful CMEx will be able
to help raise journalismstandards in the region. "I think we are
onto something here ... we arecommitted to working with the
region's reporters in enlightening communitiesabout the
importance of sustainable tourism development, and we are
happythat they have responded so overwhelmingly to be a part of
thismutually-benefical effort."

22This year's winners won airline tickets, compliments of Air
Jamaica, todestinations in the Caribbean and the United States.
They also earned freehotel stays at Bay Gardens in St. Lucia,
Almond Resorts in Barbados, HalfMoon Golf, Tennis and Beach Club
and the Jamaica Pegasus in Jamaica. Lastyear in Jamaica, the
inaugural awards concentrated on the green aspects ofsustainable
tourism. Honorees hailed from Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and
St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

The CMEx team, which comprises Counterpart International, its
affiliateCounterpart Caribbean, Air Jamaica, Caribbean
Broadcasting Union, CaribbeanHotel Association, Caribbean
Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CHA'sEnvironmental Arm),
EarthVoice and Great Places in the Caribbean (Life Needsthe
Caribbean), was supported by American Express, Ansbacher Bank,
BahamasMinistry of Tourism, Barbados Tourism Authority, British
Colonial Hilton,Hilton Caribbean, Cable and Wireless, Central
Bank of Barbados, Club Med,Half Moon Golf, Tennis and Beach
Club, Caves of Barbados, Glamour Tours(Jamaica), Leisure Tours,
LIAT, McHari Institute, Nassau Beach Hotel,Sandals Resorts,
SuperClubs and United Nations Development Programme.
Received on Wed Jun 5 12:49:10 2002