There is a glaring need for a fresh local tourism ampaign sensitising young Barbadians about the sector and how they can play their part.
Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy, addressing participants of the 9th Annual Speak Off Competition among secondary schools, said there was a need to reach out and explain the importance of tourism and all the different aspects that make up the industry.
Sealy, who noted tourism was a “mammoth task” both socially and culturally and should be even taught in schools, said it was in this regard that he was throwing the ministry’s support behind the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s push to have it as a Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) subject.
“I think it’s an excellent idea, because we are at one with the region with regard to more calls for tourism-related subjects,” he added.
The Speak Off saw Queen’s College student Dionne Weekes copping the first prize, after she hammered home the facts and offered up alternatives on how Britain could revisit their Airline Passenger Duty (APD).
Weekes, who became the first female junior minister since the competition began nine years ago, offered the alternatives of raising taxes on imports in an effort for the British to utilise more of their own produce.
She also noted they could raise the excise duties.
The 16-year-old student, who delivered a confident speech, told the media she had practised repeatedly over the last few nights, and had even tossed up a few questions she felt might have appeared for the mystery section.
Second place went to Therese Branch of Harrison College, while Kezia Henry of Queen’s College took the third place, making it two wins for the St James school.
