The Caribbean is in a unique position to meet the rapidly growing global demand for more creative and individualized experiences, says a marketing communications executive. Andy Dumaine, who has developed strategies and marketing programs for some of the world’s most recognized brands and destinations, says global culture increasingly imposes “a certain uniformity on life,” raising the demand for more creative and individualized experiences.

“The Caribbean is uniquely positioned to meet the demand and use alternative tourism models to build a healthier future for residents and visitors alike,” Dumaine contends. “The region’s food, with its strong ties to family, tradition, culture and memory, provides many soul-stirring points of connection.”

A seasoned traveller, Dumaine has direct experience with the challenges and opportunities tourism creates for communities and destinations. He recently launched a new venture to work with tourism providers to develop alternative approaches that deepen visitor experiences, differentiate destinations and protect cultural and natural assets for future generations.

“A culinary trail is one example of how low-impact tourism models present exciting and differentiating alternatives to more common and predictable experiences available in many warm weather destinations,” he says.

Dumaine will address “Cultivating Connections Along The Caribbean Culinary Trail” during the 9th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, otherwise called the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC-9), in the Cayman Islands in May 2007.

He will be part of a panel discussing “Securing Environmental and Human Capital,” which takes place on Wednesday, May 23.

“The presentation will explore the opportunities created when communities across the region unite to tell the story of West Indian cuisine island-to-island and table-to-table,” the communications executive said.
“Using best practices of tourism trail development, the presentation will demonstrate ways to create deeper, more engaging experiences that recharge visitors and respect local interests.”

Themed Health and Wellness: Communities, Environments & Economies, STC-9 will be held May 21-24, 2007, at the Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa in Grand Cayman, the Cayman Islands.

General sessions include: Health and Wellness Tourism: Opportunities and Challenges; Securing Environmental and Human Capital; Defining the Way Forward and Stakeholders Speak Out featuring discussions about “Developing Valuable Tourism Resources Within Our Communities: the Grand Cayman Go East Initiative,” “Preserving Our Culture: Preserving a Caymanian Identity,” “Raising the Bar: Customer Service Standards for the Tourism Sector,” and “The Role of the National Trust in Tourism Development.”

Workshops will focus on “Integrated Coastal Zone Management” and “Developing a Spa Business.” There will also be a special presentation by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company which will provide an update on developments there since Puerto Rico hosted the 8th Annual Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC-8 ) in April 2006.

The annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development is part of the information dissemination and regional awareness component of CTO’s Strategy for Sustainable Tourism. It looks at how member states can design and implement sustainable tourism policies and programmes, offering a regional forum for information exchange on the successes and pitfalls of national, regional and international initiatives.

STC-9 is organised by CTO in collaboration with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, and in consultation with the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA). It is co-financed by the European Union within the framework of the Caribbean Regional Sustainable Tourism Development programme (CRSTDP).