Condé Nast Traveler Announces Finalists in 2005 “My Caribbean” Essay Contest

Condé Nast Traveler magazine released earlier this week the names of the 23 school children finalists in the 14th Annual “My Caribbean Essay Contest.” This contest, the first of its kind for Caribbean school children, has become a symbol of Condé Nast Traveler´s commitment to the development in the Caribbean.

The 23 student finalists and their chaperones will fly courtesy of American Airlines to the Caribbean Tourism Organization´s annual conference (CTC) in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, to be held this year from October 23 to 26.

At the conference, a grand prize-winner and two runners-up will be announced during the awards ceremony on October 25th. A $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to the winner, along with $500 scholarships for the two runners-up. The winning essay will also be featured in the December 2005 issue of Condé Nast Traveler.

This annual contest is part of a tourism awareness program for school children between the ages of 8 and 12. Each of the 23 finalists attending the Caribbean Tourism Conference will receive an eye-opening experience into the world of tourism.

The contest, sponsored by Condé Nast Traveler, the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and American Airlines, educates elementary school children in the Caribbean islands about the importance of tourism to their country´s economy.

“The Caribbean Tourism Organization is proud to be associated with this important program designed to prepare our tourism professionals of tomorrow for the opportunities and challenges of the tourism industry,” said Caribbean Tourism Organization Secretary General Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace. “For the past 14 years, Condé Nast Traveler has been a valuable partner in this venture and we look forward to maintaining this excellent relationship as we continue to embrace travel and promote tourism in the years ahead.”