Caribbean authorities and experts has opened a Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development Tobago on Tuesday to ponder on how best to use and protect the most important source of income for most of the region´s economies. The four-day meting, under the theme Keeping the Right Balance. Sustainable Tourism through Diversity, will be attended by tourism ministers, among other government officials, as well as by businesspersons from some 30 countries and territories.

The 9th Caribbean Tourism Marketplace (CTM), to take place May 12 through 14 in this capital, will serve to promote the Dominican Republic as a cultural destination. CTM´s president Luis Felipe Aquino said that the tourist business event is of paramount importance for the local tourism industry and highlighted that the fair will boost and promote the national offer.

Ministers of Tourism from the sub-regional Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are meeting Thursday and Friday in Anguilla to discuss ways to foster the industry to further benefit these nine island states. Their participation in the internationally acclaimed boat show in France, known as The Grand Pavois, was at the center piece of the discussions at the two day meeting.

The Aruba Annual Tourism Conference that will take place from May 11 to 14 is ready to both upgrade and train tour operators and airline reps on the latest and hottest attractions this lovely Caribbean island has to offer. The event´s agenda includes grand tours down the East Side -the less developed area. Those who sign up for the event will count on accommodations (two persons per tour operator tops), excursions, meals and parties free of charge.

Everyone from National Tourism Offices, Airlines, Cruise lines and Tour Operators participating at The Beijing International Travel and Tourism Market are ready to capture their share of this lucrative new market. BITTM is China´s only outbound tourism exhibition with every exhibitor guaranteed to meet Chinese outbound tour operators and travel agents searching for destinations and travel products to sell to the new 1.3 billion strong Chinese outbound market.

Marketing strategies unveiled at the 12th annual Virgin Islands Destination Symposium in St. Thomas include a new ad campaign reflecting the diversity of the islands of St. Croix, St. John and the meeting host, St. Thomas. They also include a separate campaign and tagline branding St. Croix´s culture and history; a renewed focus on niche markets, especially mega and charter yachts; and the promotion of seasonal specials and special events.