ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

The day which is observed annually on the first Tuesday in November, will be celebrated this year under the theme “One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean”.

The Ministry of Tourism will host two major events on the day (Nov. 2nd) to mark the occasion.   A Youth Tourism Forum will be held from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm at the City View Hotel and from 4:30 p.m., a 5k Fun Run and Walk will take place.

The Youth Tourism Forum will engage upper level secondary school students of both public and private- run educational institutions.

The program will begin with an opening ceremony during which Minister of Tourism, The Hon. John Maginley, will address the gathering on the theme for Caribbean Tourism Day 2010.  The official opening will be followed by several presentations.  These will include a presentation by a 3-member panel which will focus on the topics: Tourism as the engine of economic growth, Trends in Tourism and its impact on Antigua & Barbuda and Careers in Tourism.  In addition to a presentation entitled “From School to Work – Preparing now to make the transition an on-going success”, participating students will also have the opportunity to listen to and ask questions of industry workers who will speak about the dynamics of their jobs.

The day will end with a quiz, based on information shared during the presentations and an Impromptu- speaking competition.  Prizes will be awarded to the winners.
Team members form the Sports Tourism department will then set the stage for the hosting of the 5k fun run and walk activity dubbed “Running for Scholarships”. This effort is to promote the young aspiring athletes of Antigua & Barbuda who are interested in pursuing careers within the Hospitality and Tourism Industry and thus secondary schools and athletic clubs are being targeted for participation.

A percentage of funds raised through sponsorship of this event will go towards the CTO Scholarship foundation.  The other portion will be used by the ministry towards any educational foundation or organization geared towards promoting youth awareness of the Tourism Product. The Ministry is still seeking the support of corporate Antigua in contributing towards this very worthy cause.

The starting point for the 5K fun run and walk is at the Piggott’s Primary School, from which participants will take a right onto Piggott’s Main Road, then follow onto the road going to the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, a right will be made into the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (close to the ‘Dog Farm’), then right onto the inside stadium road. The activity will culminate at the eastern side of the stadium.

Transportation will be provided from the East and West bus stations from 3 pm for the athletes and refreshments will be provided for all participants.

The Ministry of Tourism would like to say a special thank you to those sponsors who have come on board thus far in support of this activity; Kennedy’s Club Ltd, Subway Antigua, Townhouse Mega Store, Gunthropes Spring Water, Premier Beverages, Hadeed Motors Ltd, and Shoul’s Toys Gifts and House wares.

The foremost objective of Caribbean Tourism day is to raise awareness among Caribbean people of the importance of Tourism in the Caribbean.