ON SEP. 5, IARA ERNEST, THE 2024 JUNIOR MINISTER OF TOURISM, WILL DELIVER A PRESENTATION ON “COLLABORATION ACROSS CULTURES.”

The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) is one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the regional tourism calendar. The event will be held from Monday 2nd to Friday 6th September, 2024, at the Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa (Cayman Islands).

The CTO Youth Congress, a forum for youth involvement in tourism, is a key component of SOTIC which mirrors a CTO Board of Directors meeting and includes the participation of Junior Commissioners and Ministers of Tourism throughout the region.

Sixteen-year-old Ms. Iara Ernest, the 2024 Junior Minister of Tourism from the Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School, is Saint Lucia’s representative at this year’s CTO Youth Congress.

Building on her impressive performance at the National Tourism Public Speaking Competition on Thursday 16th May, Iara is set to deliver a compelling presentation on “Collaboration across Cultures” to a vast audience, comprising CTO officials, and key tourism policy makers. The two-part presentation includes a 3-minute speech and video presentation which underscores Saint Lucia's commitment to sustainable tourism development by integrating the diverse cultural perspectives of visitors, and a differentiated product for the enjoyment of all.

The Ministry of Tourism extends best wishes to Iara and is confident that her knowledge of the tourism industry, coupled with her vibrant personality will guarantee a remarkable performance.

Don’t miss Iara's presentation!

Tune in to the Ministry of Tourism’s Facebook and Instagram pages and the Government Information Service (GIS), for live coverage of the CTO Youth Congress on Thursday, 5th September, 2024, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Eastern Caribbean Time.