Skerritt attends Seventh African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference in Halifax

Hon. Ricky Skerritt

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 26TH 2011 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Sen. the Hon. Richard Skerritt, said the region is looking at ways of enriching visitors’ experiences, from teaching about the origin of spices in preparing food to the types of beats in music.

Speaking in Halifax, Canada, Minister Skerritt said the allure of sun and sand serves the Caribbean well in attracting millions of visitors each year, but the region wants to add its culture to the list of reasons people should visit.

“We’re trying to get our own people and our visitors to learn more about what really makes the Caribbean the Caribbean, . . . that marries our nature, our culture and our history,” said Skerritt, who serves as chairman of the 33-member Caribbean Tourism Organization.

He said 24 million visitors came to the region last year but annual growth is a marginal one per cent.

Skerritt is one of about 360 delegates from at least 15 countries who attended the Seventh Annual African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference in Halifax.