Washington Archibald Student is new Jr. Tourism Minister

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 15, 2013 (SKNIS): Students of the Washington Archibald High, Basseterre High and Verchild’s High Schools, after much preparation, competed in this year’s National Tourism Youth Congress, at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium on Tuesday (May 14), to select the Federation’s Junior Tourism Minister.

The competition, which was a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport and the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, challenged the students to hone their debating skills while learning the importance of the tourism industry.

The contest was structured to mirror a Board of Directors Meeting of Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO). As such, participants Annick Bedford of Washington Archibald High, Delvina Thompson of Basseterre High and Duka Thomas of Vechilds High had to research and present on key tourism issues. This year’s focus was Agri-tourism and Multigenerational Travel.

Patricia Martin, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, stated that the congress provided a great avenue for the students to engage in dynamic debate. She then predicted a bright future for contestants.

“Remember today you are participants,” she stated. “Tomorrow you will be the leaders, the Ministers of Tourism, the movers, the shakers, who will shape policies for the survival of this Tourism Industry.”

This year’s winner Annick Bedford of the Washington Archibald High shared how she felt about winning and took the time to thank her school for its support.

“It feels good after all the hard practice,” she expressed, smiling from ear to ear. “My school is very proud of me and I thank them for the support and all the help they’ve given me throughout the practice sessions. I really appreciate it.”

The Junior Minister will compete in the Regional Tourism Youth Congress organised by the CTO in Martinique later this year.