(OECS Secretariat, Castries, St. Lucia, Thursday April 14^th 2011) Tourism Ministers across the OECS will converge on St. Kitts on Tuesday April 19^th 2011 for the 10^th meeting of the OECS Council of Tourism Ministers. The meeting will be convened under the theme: ‘OECS Economic Union: Strategic Considerations for Tourism’.

At a time when the OECS Secretariat is redirecting its work porgrammes, with a view to bringing the OECS Economic Union into effect, OECS Tourism Ministers have focused their agenda on the strategic analysis of the single OECS tourism space, within the context of the newly ratified OECS Economic Union treaty.

In that regard, one of the highlights of the meeting includes a presentation by the Consultants tasked with the responsibility of developing a Common Tourism Policy for the OECS. Related matters to be discussed include the findings of a research project on the feasibility of an OECS marketing and branding strategy; and the establishment of a proposed OECS network of excellence in tourism and hospitality education.

The Ministers for Tourism will also discuss issues related to intra-regional travel in the OECS.  Dr. Loraine Nicholas, Programme Officer for Tourism at the OECS Secretariat’s Economic Affairs Division says intra-regional travel is another key item for 10^th session: “In this regard, Ministers will seek to devise innovative, strategic responses to the constraints in the air transportation sector that are inimical to travel within the OECS; as well as consider mechanisms to facilitate seamless intra-regional travel via both land and sea. The outcome of these discussions will be used as a platform for establishment of the OECS region as a single tourism economic space, consistent with the ideals underlying the proposed OECS Economic Union.”

The 10^th Meeting of the OECS Council of Tourism Ministers will take place at the St. Kitts Marriott Hotel. Delegates are expected from most OECS Member States, other countries in the Eastern Caribbean region, as well as regional tourism organisations including the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.

The Honourable Richard (Ricky) Skerrit, Minister for Tourism in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis will chair the 10^th meeting of the OECS Council of Tourism Ministers in Basseterre.

Subject contact; Dr. Loraine Nicholas 455-OECS

Media contact; Raymond O’Keiffe Communications Officer OECS Secretariat This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Tel. 1-758-455-OECS