Caribbean journalists win tourism awards

Three of the region’s top print, radio and television reporters were honored by Counterpart International at the recently concluded Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx) in Castries, St. Lucia.

Arelis Pena Brito, a reporter from El Caribe News in the Dominican Republic, was recognized for her intensive coverage of the struggles to maintain the balance between commerce and environment in her native island during closing ceremonies held at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian last month.

Mahendra Romel Roopanivine with MTV 14/65 News in Guyana won for his television documentary about the attempts to involve indigenous villages in preserving the national park, while Theo and Sharon Chambers, both broadcast journalists, took pride of place for their on air discussion on Jamaica’s POWER 106 FM Jamaica on "Jamaica´s One Love Message and its Link to World Tourism”.

The awards were sponsored by Half Moon Montego Bay, Coco Kreole in St. Lucia and Almond Resorts in Barbados.

The CMEx organizers along with CNN’s Director of Operations, Clayton Sizemore, also recognized St. Lucian native Ernie Seon of the Caribbean Media Corporation for his excellent coverage of the lead up to the CMEx conference.

On a lighter note, other less formal awards were extended to participants in the CMEx talent competition during a festive cultural evening at the acclaimed Pigeon Island in Gros Islet, home of the St. Lucia Jazz Festival.

First place went to Haitian-born Arthur Lovelace for his salsa rendition “Idilio”, which won him a round trip ticket compliments of Air Jamaica. Lovelace, Counterpart’s Director of Administration and Finance, later chose to donate his ticket to a charitable organization in St. Lucia that supports needy children, Pawasol Pour Ti Manmai.

Patricia Clarke of IRIE FM radio Jamaica won a stay at the Bay Gardens Hotel in St. Lucia for her “history of reggae through dance” performance, and youth participant Laura Jackson copped third place and a stay at the Jamaica Pegasus with her gospel rendition of “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”

CMEx VI was produced by Counterpart International and Counterpart Caribbean.

The Caribbean Hotel Association provided technical assistance while supporters include: Air Jamaica, Almond Beach Resorts, American Express, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, The Bank of St. Lucia International and Barbados Golf Club.