US Television and Film Star Tamara Tunie partners with Caribbean Tourism Organization for Caribbean Week In New York

NEW YORK, NY (15 May, 2013) – Leading television and film star, Tamara Tunie has partnered with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) as the celebrity spokesperson for the CTO’s 40th celebration of Caribbean Week in New York.

Perhaps best known as the “Medical Examiner, Melinda Warner” on NBC’s long-running top-rated series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and more recently in Paramount’s Oscar nominated, Flight, with co-star Denzel Washington, Ms. Tunie will engage the media in America’s most populous city as the official spokesperson for the 1-8 June event.

“I am thrilled to work with the Caribbean Tourism Organization taking the Caribbean’s wonderful message across New York during this exciting week of celebration of the region’s vibrancy and diversity,” Ms Tunie said.

Her partnership was secured through the efforts of Marie Walker, the chief executive officer and president of the CTO New York affiliate, Turnstyle Marketing, working with the head of the CTO New York office, Sylma Brown.

“We are confident that the events surrounding Caribbean Week in New York will receive a significant spike from both the consumer and the trade as a result of Mr. Tunie’s efforts,” stated Ms. Walker.

“Ms. Tunie will not only create media waves in New York, but she will also attend a select number of the events to include the Caribbean One-Day Bonanza Sale and Rum and Rhythm,” added Ms. Brown.

Ms. Tunie recently guest starred on The Good Wife and Fall to Rise, produced by Spirit Award nominee, Gil Holland. Her other memorable television roles include the longstanding character Jessica Griffin on the CBS Daytime Drama, As The World Turns, for which she received two NAACP Image Award nominations and two Soap Opera Digest award nominations. She also appeared in the highly visible role of the villainous Alberta Green in first season of the hit series, 24, as well as guest appearances on Law and Order, Sex and the City, and NYPD Blue.

In film, she has worked with some of the most respected directors of the screen, including Taylor Hackford, Brian De Palma, Mimi Leder, Harold Becker and Oliver Stone. Ms. Tunie also appeared alongside the legendary Al Pacino as the possessed wife of a partner in his law firm in the hit film “The Devil’s Advocate,” and as his press secretary in “City Hall.” She also worked with famed director Kasi Lemmons and Samuel L. Jackson on both “Eve’s Bayou” and “The Caveman’s Valentine,” for which she was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award.

Among the rousing activities on the Caribbean Week in New York calendar is the OneCaribbean Vacation Mart and Romance Pavilion/Bonanza Sale where specially priced Caribbean holidays will available along with that perfect Bahamian getaway at the Caribbean Romance Pavilion which will be part of the Vacation Mart. The One Caribbean Vacation Marketplace takes place on Wednesday 5 June from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the New Yorker Hotel on 8th Avenue, New York. The Week also features the fascinating Students’ Colloquium at which Caribbean students studying at the tertiary level present sustainable tourism projects that are practical and can provide a sustainable source of income for Caribbean nationals; the Caribbean Diaspora Forum, developed in collaboration with the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Caribbean Media Marketplace where CTO member governments and private sector exhibitors interact with leading journalists from trade and consumer press; the Media Awards Luncheon where the Organization honors journalists for their award winning features on the Caribbean; and the Caribbean Marketing Conference & Awards Luncheon – organized by the CTO Allied members, where the latest cutting edge marketing trends are presented and people who have made significant contributions to the region’s tourism development are recognised.

Caribbean Week in New York is supported by the Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME), the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Empire State Building, Face of Fashion, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Hardbeat Communications, Jamaica, Jewel Resorts, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St Eustatius, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Martin/St. Maarteen, St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands.

“We anticipate even greater participation from the Caribbean and our partners as Ms. Tunie helps elevate our senses for this is a celebration of our region,” Ms. Brown said.

For the complete list of activities for Caribbean Week in New York and for information on how to participate, visit www.caribbeanweekny.com or call the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s New York office at (212) 635-9530.

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: CTObarbados@caribtourism.com.

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: CTOny@caribtourism.com;

The CTO’s London office is located at The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, England. Tel: 011 44 208 948 0057; Fax: 011 44 208 948 0067; E-mail: CTOlondon@caribtourism.com;

For more information on the Caribbean Tourism Organization please visit www.OneCaribbean.org.

Get the latest CTO updates on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ctotourism.

Connect with CTO on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CaribbeanTourismOrganization.