Thursday, March 26 2009
TRAVEL WEEKLY: Although the top issues at the fifth Summit of the Americas will be the current economic crisis and access to increased credit and lending, Caribbean tourism leaders are hoping that issues facing tourism in the region will be on the table.
Trinidad will be the first Caribbean country to host the summit, which will bring together government officials from the 34 countries that make up the Organisation of American States to discuss broad issues of cooperation, energy, security, environmental sustainability and balanced partnerships. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad in Port-of-Spain from April 17 to 19.
The summit will offer the first opportunity for US President Barack Obama “to listen to his colleagues from the Americas, promote his doctrine of partnership and cooperation, and engage in dialogue with the hemisphere leaders,” according to Jeffrey Davidow, the White House Summit advisor.
Russell George, general manager of the 428-room Hyatt Regency Trinidad, which opened in December 2007, said the property was sold out, as were all of the capital's major hotels, inns and guesthouses. The Hyatt's 16,000- square-foot grand ballroom and the smaller 10,000- square-foot ballroom will be used for summit sessions and receptions.
The government may lease two cruise ships to house government delegations and media attending the conference. Streets in parts of the capital city will be closed to vehicular traffic and businesses near the Hyatt will be shuttered; air access also will be curtailed while the leaders come and go. Trees bordering Piarco Airport outside of Port-of-Spain were deemed security risks and were cut down.
Obama will lead a 1,000-member delegation.
Summit security arrangements are in full swing. Police and soldiers from several nations will provide security for Obama and other leaders. Hundreds of troops from Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Suriname and other nations will bolster Trinidad’s security forces.
Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,97333.html
TRAVEL WEEKLY: Although the top issues at the fifth Summit of the Americas will be the current economic crisis and access to increased credit and lending, Caribbean tourism leaders are hoping that issues facing tourism in the region will be on the table.
Trinidad will be the first Caribbean country to host the summit, which will bring together government officials from the 34 countries that make up the Organisation of American States to discuss broad issues of cooperation, energy, security, environmental sustainability and balanced partnerships. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad in Port-of-Spain from April 17 to 19.
The summit will offer the first opportunity for US President Barack Obama “to listen to his colleagues from the Americas, promote his doctrine of partnership and cooperation, and engage in dialogue with the hemisphere leaders,” according to Jeffrey Davidow, the White House Summit advisor.
Russell George, general manager of the 428-room Hyatt Regency Trinidad, which opened in December 2007, said the property was sold out, as were all of the capital's major hotels, inns and guesthouses. The Hyatt's 16,000- square-foot grand ballroom and the smaller 10,000- square-foot ballroom will be used for summit sessions and receptions.
The government may lease two cruise ships to house government delegations and media attending the conference. Streets in parts of the capital city will be closed to vehicular traffic and businesses near the Hyatt will be shuttered; air access also will be curtailed while the leaders come and go. Trees bordering Piarco Airport outside of Port-of-Spain were deemed security risks and were cut down.
Obama will lead a 1,000-member delegation.
Summit security arrangements are in full swing. Police and soldiers from several nations will provide security for Obama and other leaders. Hundreds of troops from Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Suriname and other nations will bolster Trinidad’s security forces.
Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,97333.html
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