First Ever Andrew R. Parris Award to be Presented to Top Travel Agent at Awards Luncheon
As part of Caribbean Week Toronto 2008 (www.caribbeanweek.ca) September 24-26, 2008, tourism officials, Caribbean tourism suppliers and the media will join in recognizing the contributions of the travel agent community during the Caribbean Awards Luncheon on Thursday, September 25 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. For the first time ever, the travel agent who best exemplifies the qualities of passion and innovation in the field will be honoured with the “Andrew R. Parris Award” in memory of Andy Parris’ illustrious career in the Caribbean tourism industry. The award will be presented by Parris’ widow, Margaret Parris.
Parris’ legacy of service and professionalism is of great significance to attendees of Caribbean Week Toronto, an event organized by the Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC) to assist member countries and private sector partners to increase tourism business in Canada. With a career spanning over 40 years in the Caribbean tourism industry, Parris worked diligently to educate, train and motivate travel professionals. “Andy was truly dedicated to bringing the essence of a Caribbean vacation experience to the travel community across Canada,” said Hugh Riley, co-chief operating officer for CTDC. “It is an honour to be able to acknowledge his lifetime of work in the presence of his peers and others who share his passion for promoting the region.”
Nominations for the Andrew R. Parris Award may be submitted by National Tourist Offices, tour operators, airline representatives, hotels and other suppliers to the Caribbean. Nominees will be considered by a panel of judges from the travel and hospitality industry and evaluated for their contributions to the Caribbean tourism industry and commitment to increasing tourism to the region.
Caribbean Week Toronto 2008, themed Secrets of the Caribbean, brings together the most influential policy makers, financial leaders, marketing professionals and tourism industry officials to interact and discuss both tourism and investment opportunities in the region. It also serves to provide a taste of the region to consumers to inspire travel and showcase its diversity. In addition to the Awards Luncheon, a variety of distinctive events highlighting the Caribbean experience will take place including a Caribbean Travel Conference, Town Hall Meetings, a Media Marketplace, Caribbean Fair and Rum & Rhythm Festival.
For more information on Caribbean Week Toronto 2008, to register for all events and to purchase tickets, visit: www.caribbeanweek.ca or call 416-935-0707 to speak to a representative from the Caribbean Tourism Development Company.
Partners
Partners supporting this year’s Caribbean Week Toronto include Puerto Rico, American Express and Travelocity.
The Caribbean Tourism Development Company
The Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC) is a marketing and business development unit, owned equally by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). Its mission is to own, promote, protect, advance and enhance the Caribbean brand. The CTDC combines the resources of the Caribbean region’s destinations, accommodations and service providers to create a viable, cohesive, business unit that is able to identify commercial opportunities and allow the members of CHA and CTO to benefit collectively from those opportunities in ways that individually they could not. In all its endeavors the company engages only in activities that honor the Caribbean brand.
Media Contact
Terence Gallagher/Anna Lagos
Lou Hammond & Associates
(212) 308-8880
terryg@lhammond.com; annal@lhammond.com
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