Barbados will soon play host to the 22nd Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Tourism.

The meeting, which will be held Sep. 3 and 4 in Bridgetown, will take place under the theme of “Tourism Competitiveness: An Essential Component of Sustainability.”

Barbados Tourism Minister Richard Sealy and Organization of American States Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza signed a memorandum of understanding last week regarding the event.

“The theme you have chosen is certainly in accordance with the times in which we live today in this industry where we need to be competitive,” Insulza told Barbadian officials.

Sealy said Barbados was “well-poised and ready to deliver the conference.”

“Tourism is not only an economic activity that generates employment, but is also a catalyst for achieving important strategic objectives: community development, cultural preservation, environmental sustainability and social inclusion,” Sealy said.