Sixteen-year-old Iara Ernest, Saint Lucia’s Junior Minister of Tourism, will deliver a presentation on “Collaboration across Cultures” at the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)’s State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) today, September 5th.
The event is eagerly anticipated on the regional tourism calendar and takes place from September 2-6, 2024, at the Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa in the Cayman Islands.
A key component of SOTIC is the CTO Youth Congress, a forum designed to encourage youth involvement in tourism. This congress mirrors a CTO Board of Directors meeting. Moreover, it features participation from Junior Commissioners and Ministers of Tourism across the region.
Representing Saint Lucia at this year’s CTO Youth Congress, Ernest hails from the Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School. She earned her spot after an impressive performance at the National Tourism Public Speaking Competition on May 16th. Subsequently, Ernest is now set to showcase her skills on a larger stage with a two-part presentation that includes a three-minute speech and a video. Undoubtedly, her presentation will emphasize Saint Lucia’s commitment to sustainable tourism development. It will also integrate diverse cultural perspectives into the tourism experience.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Tourism expressed confidence in Ernest’s abilities. They highlighted her knowledge of the industry and vibrant personality as key factors that will contribute to a remarkable performance.
The Ministry invites everyone to tune in to live coverage of the CTO Youth Congress today September 5, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Caribbean Time. The event will be streamed on the Ministry of Tourism’s Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as on the Government Information Service (GIS).
Source/Photo: Original Source.
