(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) As efforts continue in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to insulate the tourism sector from the downturn in global economies, the Government of The Bahamas, the CARICOM Secretariat and the Latin America and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) have collaborated to convene the First Regional Seminar on Tourism, 31 August-1 September, in The Bahamas.
With central focus on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) and Tourism Development in the Caribbean Region, the Seminar has among its objectives, the identification of impediments to the development of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises towards possible solutions.

The successful conclusion of the Seminar is also expected to be based on the outline of a cooperation programme for strengthening SME’s intra-connections with tourism development.

Participation in the Seminar will be drawn from persons involved with SMEs within the tourism sector, particularly those who have been involved in enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs within this area.

Individuals who can contribute meaningfully to discussions on competitiveness from regional and international perspectives, and who can share experiences of existing challenges to competitiveness and best practices in overcoming those difficulties, have also been invited to participate in the seminar.

Participants will benefit from shared experiences by countries and organisations including Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Centre for the Promotion of Micro and Small Enterprises in Central America (CENPROMYPE), the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Development (AECID), the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).