Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 10, 2014 (SKNIS): Students from five high schools in St. Kitts were once again given an opportunity for their voices to be heard on current issues in tourism at the annual Local Tourism Youth Congress.
The event, held on Friday (May 9) at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, heard the views of an all female panel comprised of Bethany Greene of the Washington Archibald High, Trudela Spence of Verchild’s High, Leantel Matthew-Heyliger of Cayon High, Ackila Hanley of Charles E. Mills Secondary and Naomi Callender of the Saddlers Secondary School.
Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Richard Skerritt, stated that it was important for young persons to get an opportunity to learn about what’s taking place around them, understand why it was important to their lives today and in the future and to their well being and how it will improve the quality of their lives and their families.
“This event seeks to give young people the opportunity to be heard, having had input from advisors, their family and their friends in their preparation,” Minister Skerritt stated. “It is certainly a great way to listen to what are the ideas and thoughts that young people have about the various topics that are used from year to year.”
The topic chosen by all the participants was “Accessible Tourism.” Bethany Greene, with her strong personality and intelligence, won the judges over with her presentation of the topic.
Ms. Greene stated that every day before school and during lunch she and her teachers would gather together to practice her speech and was given impromptu questions about different aspects of tourism which proved beneficial to the mystery question round which she won.
Ms. Greene will participate in the Regional Tourism Youth Congress scheduled to be held during the State of Industry’s Conference on September 17 – 19 in St. Thomas, USVI. The congress is viewed as a vital part of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Youth Awareness Programme.
The local event was organised by the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport in collaboration with the St. Kitts Tourism Authority.