The Caribbean Marketing Conference is one of the most prominent events of Caribbean Week. Celebrating The Caribbean in New York brings together many VIP’s, tourism officials, media and delegates from the region, enjoying the sights, sounds, colors, culture and uniqueness of the Caribbean.

A look at the 11th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development Climate changes with its subsequent disasters, growing unemployment, rising sea levels, crime, The “me” vs. “us” attitude, service vs. servitude mentality, noncooperation between private/public sectors, inequities in financial compensation were all opened for discussion on the tranquil island of Barbados. Regional and international experts opened the forum for a transparent evaluation of the realities now facing the Caribbean region. Issues in the past previously swept under the rug now have to be acknowledged, assimilated and dealt with.

The story takes us back to 1542 when “El Mozo” as he was nicknamed, Francisco de Montejo founded Merida, a Spanish colonial city that exudes tradition in its streets, plazas and avenues, which belies its cosmopolitan reality.

Traveling south out of Cancun, on what is now known as the Rivera Maya, one parallels the beautiful Mexican Caribbean, and one and a half hours later, enters the town of Tulum. This enchanted town, formerly known as Zama (city of dawn) was used by the Mayans as a commercial port for Coba and surrounding areas.

Traveling south out of Cancun, on what is now known as the Rivera Maya, one parallels the beautiful Mexican Caribbean, and one and a half hours later, enters the town of Tulum. This enchanted town, formerly known as Zama (city of dawn) was used by the Mayans as a commercial port for Coba and surrounding areas.

Travel agents still giddy from the low airfares to Europe this summer may want to turn their attention to the upcoming winter season. Could this be the year to send your ski clients to Europe?