Caribbean News Service
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Sep 15 2016 – The Bahamas has been elected Chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with the election as Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe.
The election took place on September 15 in Barbados at the organization’s annual general meeting during the CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC).
Following his election Mr. Wilchcombe stated: “I intend to build upon what [immediate predecessor Richard Sealy of Barbados] began and I also intend to build on the relationship with the private sector. I’ve always thought that CTO is the body that provides equity and we can; and the way is to speak with the same voice. We also have to deal with the issue of inter-regional travel.”
Minister Wilchcombe succeeds Barbados’s Minister Of Tourism and International Transport Richard Sealy, and will serve a two-year term. It is his second stint as chairman, having previously been elected to the position in 2002.
Today’s vote was in keeping with the CTO constitution which mandates that elections must be held every two years.
This year’s conference at the Hilton Barbados Resort is organized in collaboration with Barbados’ Ministry of Tourism and International Transport and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc and is sponsored by LIAT, the Caribbean Airline and Libris by Photoshelter.