Bermuda’s Premier Gets Top Honor At Caribbean Media Exchange
http://www.caribbeanworldnews.com/middle_top_news_detail.php?mid=3988
CaribWorldNews, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Mon. Oct. 4, 2010: Bermuda`s Premier Dr. Ewart Brown last night was presented with a top award from the Caribbean Media Exchange for his role in promoting sustainable tourism across the region.
The CMEx 2010 World Leadership Award was the highest honor bestowed by the organization, which presented its 19th conference in Kingston, Jamaica between Thursday, September 30th and Sunday, Oct. 3rd.
Brown told the audience of media and tourism officials gathered in the rooftop dining room of the Jamaica Pegasus that he cancelled a trip to the Commonwealth Games to attend the awards ceremony because it is rare that the media ever honors a politician.
On the serious note, the Premier, who was accompanied by his wife to the event, said he was humbled and deeply gratified to be selected for the award.
`In Bermuda, we have made tremendous strides to revive our once moribund tourism industry,` he said. `From targeting new air carriers to improving existing hotel properties and attracting new properties to our island, we have begun a tourism turnaround that will continue for years to come.`
The St. Jago High School alumnus added: `To accept this award in Jamaica is particularly rewarding as their leadership on tourism is one that has inspired many throughout the region. It is also personally significant, as Jamaica is the country where I attended high school and spent many of my formative years.`
The Premier also took the opportunity to urge his Caribbean neighbors to build on their traditional ties to his island.
`While Bermuda is separated from our regional partners by a vast ocean, we are deeply connected through historical, social and familial ties. We have much to learn from each other and we are proud of the leadership displayed throughout the region to develop tourism models that are innovative, resourceful and successful,` he said.
The CMEx World Leadership Award is a special recognition established to recognize those who inspire others with their life`s work to the cause of sustainable tourism and development.
Meanwhile, Jamaica`s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, was presented with the CMEx Exemplar Award for his work in the field of tourism and in his over 25 years in politics.
At the closing awards dinner of the four-day regional media exchange seminar Bartlett was honored with organizers noting that `throughout his career, Minister Bartlett`s representation of Jamaica at major conventions and conferences, both national and international, has invariably been exemplary.`
CMEx also lauded Minister Bartlett for the outstanding work he has done in his constituency of East Central St. James. `His efforts have resulted in benefits, rewards and scholarships for both children and teachers, raising the bar for educational achievements. Similarly, the Minister has created opportunities for the development of skills in diverse trades, thereby enabling higher rates of employment and small business ownership,` CMEx officials said.
In accepting the special award, presented by Barbara Pyle – noted environmental activist and developer of the popular cartoon series Captain Planet
