BERTHIA PARLE LAUDED AS TOURISM CHAMPION
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bevan Springer + 1 201 861-2056
bevanspringer@nj.rr.com
BERTHIA PARLE LAUDED AS TOURISM CHAMPION
CASTRIES, St. Lucia (July 2, 2006) – Berthia Parle, outgoing president of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), is a “stand-up leader” for whom the Caribbean region should be extremely proud, declares Lelei LeLaulu, President of the Counterpart International, the development agency engaged in sustainable tourism.
Speaking from Parle’s native St. Lucia which the DC-based LeLaulu is visiting, LeLaulu said Parle’s accomplishments in two years as CHA president have been impressive, from strengthening relations between the Caribbean’s public and private sectors, encouraging the cruise lines to have a more meaningful relationship with the region, promoting the Caribbean brand, batting for agro-tourism linkages, and raising the profile of Caribbean services exports with the international community.
“She is a champion of sustainable tourism development and her presidency will be remembered for her fearless approach to very difficult challenges. But she prevailed and pressed home the fact that tourism could be used to better the lives of ordinary citizens as well as the industry,” stated LeLaulu.
“Parle should also be commended for her efforts to have governments and hoteliers alike understand the strategic importance of tourism and how the industry fuels Caribbean economies and enriches communities,” he added.
LeLaulu, whose Counterpart International collaborates with Parle, the CHA and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation in producing the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx), said the region should pay heed to Parle’s recent counsel on the continued elevation of services exports on the region’s development agenda. “Truth can oftentimes be confrontational and I believe Berthia has awakened the consciousness of both the Caribbean and global community on the steps needed to safeguard the future of tourism,” he said.
Parle reportedly lashed out at regional governments and their negotiating teams based in Brussels and Geneva . “They have remained in the banana mode, as the service industry is a new ball game to them, and they think their major role is to attend cocktail receptions,” Parle was quoted in the Jamaica media.
LeLaulu himself does not mince words and is on record stating that European Union policies have severely impeded development efforts in island nations. “Their policies have been a massive disincentive to development and we need bold and brave leadership to change these policies”, said LeLaulu, who is also chairman of the Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International, whose development programs enrich the lives of Pacific islanders.
“Senseless bureaucratic barriers ensure millions of Euros budgeted for fighting poverty lie unused in Brussels, and the Caribbean and Pacific nations must continue to speak up,” said LeLaulu. “The sad thing is the goodwill of European taxpayers cannot be given form because of outdated requirements dreamt up by ‘eurocrats’,” said LeLaulu, saying Kafkaesque bureaucratic disincentives impede development.
Counterpart International will produce, this October in St. Lucia, the 14th edition of the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism in five years. Almond Resorts, Bay Gardens, Coco Resorts and Sandals Resorts will host the sessions.
For further information, visit www.caribbeanmediaexchange.com.
ENDS