The 4th meeting of the OECS Council of Tourism Ministers is to take place in Puerto Rico.

The three day meeting begins on Wednesday October 4th with OECS Directors of Tourism discussing issues such as enhanced collaboration in marketing, and exploring the implications for establishing a regional harmonized system of incentives for the sector, in preparation for consideration by the Ministers on October 6th.

The meeting will also look at another topical issue which is the safety and security of visitors with a special focus on yachting. An OECS Secretariat official says the focus on yachting emphasizes the delicate nature and importance of that sub-sector to the overall image and viability of the region’s tourism product.

The San Juan meeting will also discuss the ICC 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies, the status of Cruise Tourism in the region and consider some of the best practices of Puerto Rico’s Tourism Development Strategy.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism Harold Lovell will preside over the discussions among his OECS counterparts.