ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

The Ministry of Tourism has selected a new youth representative to carry the flag of our twin island nation as Junior Minister of Tourism 2013/2014.

This during a run-off held this morning (Weds) at the Heritage Hotel which saw four Junior Tourism hopefuls presenting on prepared topics as well as an on a mystery question during an impromptu session with all topics being tourism related.

Julien Kentish, Autumn Odlum, A'Shante O'Keiffe and Themara Tyson convincingly and professionally presented on one of the two prepared topics, the first centered on Multigenerational travel and the advice that the perspective Junior Ministers would give to their government to aid and facilitate the growth of such a niche market in their country and the second being "Caribbean Agri-tourism. There is more to it than visiting the farms".

The mystery question posed was "As a global industry, Tourism is very competitive. What do you suggest that your country and by extension the Caribbean region do to achieve and maintain a position among top-rated tourism destinations".

The delegates engaged their critical thinking abilities at an impromptu pace to present their thoughts to a panel of judges which included Neil Forrester, General Manager, Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association, Phillip Lloyd. Education Officer with the Broadcasting Unit, Dr. Cynthia Russell, Assistant Director with responsibility for Curriculum Development with the Ministry of Education and Ercil Charles Jr. Director of Academic Affairs, Antigua and Barbuda Hotel Training Institute.

At the end of both rounds the judges saw it fit to select Ms. Autumn Odlum of the Antigua Girls High School the title of winner and as such was bestowed the title of Antigua and Barbuda Junior Minister of Tourism 2013/2014. Coming in a close second after a tie-breaker was A'Shante O'Keiffe of the Antigua State College.

Ms. Odlum will be representing Antigua and Barbuda in Martinique from October 16th to 18th at the Caribbean Youth Congress to be held during the CTO's Annual State of the Industry Conference. She will be accompanied by Mrs. Cynthia Simon, Manager of Tourism Education, Training and Awareness and who is the chief organizer of the yearly Junior Minister Selection event.

The Ministry of Tourism would like to thank the following partners who contributed to the success of the 2013 Antigua and Barbuda Junior Minister of Tourism Run-off, by donating prizes to the delegates, Jewellers Warehouse, Carib World Travel, Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tours, Warri Pier at Rex Halcyon Resort, Tradewinds Hotel and Diamonds International.

Antigua & Barbuda participates in CTO Caribbean Tourism Youth Congress with satisfactory levels of success, having placed three out of five times in the top three positions, between 2006 and 2012 with no Congress held in 2009 and 2010.

Article originally from Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association.