Canada’s first-ever Caribbean Week has received tremendous positive feedback and plans are already under way to make next year’s event even more exciting.
More than 50,000 people are estimated to have witnessed the week
of events and entertainment, which ran in Toronto from Sept. 26 – 30. Presented by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel Association, in conjunction with the Destiny Group of Companies, the week was designed as a way to help Canadians celebrate the sights, sounds, colours, and vibrant culture of the Caribbean.
“I’m happy to say we achieved our goal to share our love and appreciation for Canada while generating interest for our region as a spectacular travel destination,” said Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, secretary general of the CTO. “The turnout and response for our planned events exceeded our expectations and the level of energy and enthusiasm for the Caribbean product is a great incentive to expand our scope of activities for next year’s Caribbean Week.”
Representatives from many Caribbean destinations and travel partners travelled to Toronto to participate in the inaugural Caribbean Week, including world renowned entertainers such as Pedrito Calvo and Hilario Duran (Cuba), Jamesy P. and Bomani (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), The Roland Prince Quartet (Antigua & Barbuda), Christopher Laroche a.k.a. Freedom (Haiti), Jerry Jerome (Toronto), The Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force Combo Band and The Royal Bahamas Police Force ‘Pop’ Band, among others.
Some of the regions most acclaimed chefs provided their talents and cuisine in multiple tasting opportunities. Chefs included: Chef Paul Yellin (Barbados), Chef Christopher Walters (Turks & Caicos Islands), Chef Ana Isabel Utrera and Geoder Leyva a professional bartender and now a professor at Havana’s Hotel & Tourism School (Cuba), Chef Pedro Quintanilla (Cuba), Chef Jeremiah Nathaniel (Antigua & Barbuda) and Chef Wayne Moncur (Bahamas).
Among the special events that took place during the week were: an all-day Caribbean
Fair @ Yonge-Dundas Square, one of Toronto’s busiest locations; Caribbean
lifestyle cooking classes in the prestigious Liquor Control Board of Ontario event kitchens; a special Caribbean Day event at the Toronto
Blue Jays game; a vibrant Caribbean
Pavilion at the Toronto Travel Show, which featured the live
wedding and awarding of a honeymoon to St. Lucia for a lucky couple; and the First Annual Governments
of the Caribbean Gala and Awards Presentations. The latter event served the dual purpose of raising money for the CTO Foundation, which provides funding for Caribbean students.
According to CTO’s chairman, the Hon. Allen Chastanet, the response to this year’s inaugural event bodes well for the Caribbean’s future in Canada.
“Canada has been a great partner for the Caribbean region and we’ve already seen a surge in Canadian visitors this year overall,” said Chastanet. “Our goal for next year is to basically own the city of Toronto for the week with multiple events, promotions and opportunities for people to completely immerse themselves in the Caribbean’s culture, flavour and excitement. We want to do everything we can to show them that ‘Life Needs the Caribbean’ and the Caribbean needs and wants to welcome them here.”
Establish your position in the market with one of the many sponsorship opportunities we offer. For more information on sponsorship visibility with Caribbean Week 2009, email cto@voxtm.com.
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