By Chudi Chukwudi From Caribbean Life News

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (Oct. 7, 2013) – A leading US security official will present some of the innovative methods the agency responsible or travellers’ safety employs to keep airline passengers safe, while enhancing the experience, when he addresses the region’s premier tourism gathering next week.

John Daly of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed his participation in the State of the Industry Conference organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) in collaboration with the Martinique Tourism Authority. He will discuss the agency’s approach to implementing Risk Based Security (RBS) initiatives to improve both security effectiveness and the passenger experience.

Mr. Daly is the regional director for the Western Hemisphere in the Office of Global Strategies, the Transportation Security Administration’s international affairs division.

“I am honoured to receive and accept CTO’s invitation to participate in the State of the Industry Conference on behalf of Transportation Security Administration’s Office of Global Strategies,” Daly said in a release to local media. “I look forward to sharing ideas with government and industry leaders on ways we can continue to work collaboratively on improving both security and customer service in the aviation sector,” he said.

The US security official will join the panel, It’s the Experience, Stupid!, to discuiss diifferent areas of the importance of creating a visitor experience that is memorable and ultimately profitable. He will be joined by Michael Ronan, the vice president of government relations for he Caribbean, Latin America & Asia regions for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises & Azamara Club Cruises. He is also the vice- chairman of the operations committee of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA); and Martinique’s commissioner of tourism, Karine Roy-Camille. The lead presenter and moderator is Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace of the Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC).

The theme for the State of the Industry Conference is “Perfecting the Experience. Delivering Authenticity.” The annual conference brings together tourism professionals, academics, researchers, policy-makers and journalists. It will be held from 15-18 October and will be preceded by the CTO business meetings – including meetings of the CTO Board of Directors and the Council of Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism.

For more information on how you can register and learn more about the conference, visit www.onecaribbean.org.

Martinique

Martinique is magical, a rich and vibrant tapestry of French chic and authentic Creole spice woven across an absolutely fascinating tropical setting nestled in the heart of the Lesser Antilles. An overseas region of France, Martinique stirs wanderlust and passions with the Caribbean’s most delectable culinary delights, awe-inspiring natural beauty, a rich cultural history, warm smiles and so much more. Its various nicknames — The Caribbean island with French flair, The Isle of Flowers, The Rum Capital of the World — hint at the uniquely special experiences that await visitors here, as do such celebrated awards as “Top Caribbean Island for Delectable Dining” (Caribbean Travel + Life: 2009), “Best Caribbean Destination” (About.com: 2010), and induction of The bay of Fort-de-France in The Most Beautiful Bays of the World (2011). Napoleon’s bride, Empress Josephine, was born and raised here. Majestic Mt. Pelée and The Pompeii of the Caribbean, St. Pierre, is found here. The finest French products and the wonders of Caribbean authenticity are readily available here. A special place, to be sure, with so much to offer – Martinique c’est magnifique! For photographs visit: www.martinique.org/photos_gallery/index.php

About the Caribbean Tourism Organization

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with headquarters in Barbados and offices in New York and London, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency comprising membership of over 30 countries and territories including Dutch, English, French and Spanish, as well as a myriad of private sector allied members. The CTO’s vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year round, warm weather destination by 2017, and its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism – One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean.

Among the benefits to its members the organization provides specialized support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, research and information technology.

In addition the CTO, in partnership with the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, jointly and equally owns the Caribbean Tourism Development Company, a marketing and business development entity dedicated to promoting the Caribbean brand worldwide.

The CTO’s Headquarters is located at Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados BB 22026; Tel: (246) 427-5242; Fax: (246) 429-3065; E-mail: [email protected]

The CTO’s New York office is located at 80 Broad St., Suite 3302, New York, NY 10004, USA: Tel: (212) 635-9530; Fax: (212) 635-9511; E-mail: [email protected]