Above: the OAS’ Albert Ramdin meets with representatives of the Honduran private sector (Photo: OAS)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The 21st Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Tourism has officially begun in Honduras.

The event, which is being held this year in the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula, is focusing on the theme “geotourism to to the benefit of local communities.”

Organization of American States Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza said the conference’s organization reflected the “commitment of Hondurans to the Inter-American System and that of the OAS to Honduras and to the tourism industry.”

Ramdin highlighted the tremendous importance of tourism to the economies of the Western Hemisphere, particularly those in Central America and the Caribbean.

He urged governments to “promote public and private partnerships and to continue investing in tourism competitiveness.”

The Caribbean contingent included Tourism Ministers from Barbados, Guyana and St Lucia.

Next year’s Tourism Congress will be held in Barbados.