8 students from secondary institutions across the country who participated in the National Tourism Youth Congress were awarded for their outstanding performance during a brief ceremony organized by the Tourism Education, Training and Awareness Unit within the Ministry of Tourism and Investment.
Akemi Ducreay, Savio Williams, Nathan Smith, Ti-ikha Edwards, Neilisha Maragh, Amelia Bloodman, N’Zae Williams and Manya Simon participated in the speech competition at this year’s National Youth Congress which is structured to mirror the Caribbean Tourism Organization Board of Director’s meeting.
Ti-ikha Edwards the 2022 Junior Tourism Minister received a laptop while the other participants each received a tablet sponsored by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority.
Ms. Tracey Browne, Manager of the Tourism Education, Training and Awareness unit in her brief remarks said she is proud of all of the participants for their outstanding performance at the national competition.
“The theme this year was Tourism Through the Eyes of Tomorrow…you are the future of our tourism industry, and we are happy that you all had the courage to share your ideas and hope that this experience would have sparked your interest in the industry”, Ms. Browne said.
Hon. Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism and Investment, during his remarks to the students stated that tourism is the engine of growth for our economy and it is very important for us to have our best minds at the helm.
“I am very certain that all of you have the potential to become a tourism minister in the future. You have already been involved and the reason you are here today is because the tourism industry has piqued your interest. I applaud you all for taking that bold step to be a part of this speech competition and I want to encourage you to keep striving for excellence as there is nothing holding you back from reaching the top. Congratulations to all of you!”, stated Minister Fernandez.
Mr. Javier Jacobs, Operations Manager of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, encouraged the participants to continue on the path they are on as they have bright future ahead of them.
“Your professionalism and innovative presentations are a testament of that bright future, the Ministry of Tourism and The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority will always be here to support you and we are committed to your success and development”, Mr. Jacobs said.
The winner of this year’s National Tourism Youth Congress, Ti-ikha Edwards represented Antigua and Barbuda at the recently concluded Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Regional Youth Congress in the Cayman Islands. This competition is an integral part of CTO’s annual tourism conference which provides a forum for students between the ages of 14 to 17 to share their ideas about the future direction of Caribbean Tourism.
