Above: Fort-de-France (CJ Photo)

By Alexander Britell

ST KITTS — Martinique will be hosting the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Industry conference in 2013, part of the island’s continued efforts to strengthen its relationship with the wider region.

The news was revealed by Martinique Tourism Commissioner Karine Roy-Camille on Friday, who said the “Isle of Flowers” had been working over the past two years to establish and maintain closer ties with its Caribbean neighbours.

“Let me say that we consider hosting this conference a great honour, and are extremely proud of it,” she said. “We look forward to welcoming you all to the Isle of Flowers and giving you a taste of our special brand of French-creole warmth and hospitality.”

The Commissioner said the move was in part the result of a decision by Martinique’s administration to adopt a new development strategy in 2010.

Accordingly, Martinique has stepped up its connections to regional organizations like the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, she said, along with increasing its profile within the CTO.

The conference is tentatively scheduled for the week of Oct. 13.