The Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) has announced the opening of fellowships and scholarships for its Fall session in an island to be announced.
In a press release, the organisation said the recognition and encouragement of young journalists was one of its major aims.
"With the stroke or two of their pens, reporters, editors and young people could secure scholarships and fellowships to attend "one of the most sought-after media gatherings in the Caribbean," the organisation said.
CMEx believes in the value of stronger working relationships between Caribbean countries and their overseas-based communities, a major focus of the 19th Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism.
CMEx will examine ways of working with the Caribbean Diaspora communities to identify innovative strategies of recovering from the massive losses caused by domestic occurrences such as crime and civil unrest.
Additionally, the CMEx in the Fall will also be looking at how to use tourism to revive communities and rebuild economies after natural and man-made disasters.
The non-profit CMEx is finalizing the Caribbean venue for the next symposium which seeks to harness the energy and vigor of the media, young scholars, fellows and Diaspora leaders.
CMEx is an interactive networking forum that allows journalists and young leaders from the Caribbean, North America and Europe to interact with development specialists and representatives of the hospitality, civil society and government sectors.
Journalists and editors - and youth (aged 15 to 21) - can apply for a limited number of scholarships and fellowships. Scholarships cover airfare, accommodation and registration, while Fellowships cover accommodation and registration.
Application and General Registration Forms are available from the following links:
Media Awards Form:
Youth Awards Form:
General Delegate Form:
The deadline for awards applications is Friday, July 2, 2010.
General delegate registration is on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited.
Since 2001, the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) has produced 18 conferences and symposia throughout the Caribbean and North America to underscore the value of the region's largest industry, tourism, in bettering the health, education, culture, environment and wealth of Caribbean communities, at home and abroad, in a climate friendly fashion.
The upcoming CMEx meeting is supported by Anse Chastanet Resort, Barbara Pyle Foundation, Bay Gardens Resorts, Caribbean Business Enterprise Trust, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, CaribWorldNews, Coco Palm, Community Benefit Development, Jade Mountain, Marketplace Excellence, Ruder Finn, Sensible Development Corporation, and The SpeakEasy M.E.D.I.A. Foundation.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
New CD to benefit CTO Scholarship Foundation
NEW YORK, NY (June 14, 2010) – From chart toppers on both sides of the Atlantic to a Juno Award winner, some of the region’s most successful and vibrant artistes are contributing their talent for a Caribbean cause.
Kevin Lyttle (St. Vincent & The Grenadines) - whose hit song ‘Turn Me On’ reached # 4 on the U.S. charts and # 2 on the UK charts, while his self titled album reached # 8 in the U.S. and was RIAA certified Gold; Dollarman (Grenada) who is the featured artist on the songs ‘Rock this Party’ and ‘Soundz of Freedom’ - both reached # 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart; and Lazo (Dominica) who won a Juno Award in 2000 for Best Reggae Recording for ‘Heart and Soul, are among a number of respected Caribbean musicians featured on a new compilation CD entitled ‘Love the Music’.
The project is the result of a strategic partnership between the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Ryff Music, with part of the proceeds going to the CTO scholarship programme, the CTO Foundation.
Also included in the line up are: Singing Melody (Jamaica) whose single ‘Want You Back’, reached #3 on the New York Reggae Top 30 and #1 on the Star Top 40; Natural Black (Guyana) who has had several hits including ‘Far From Reality’ and ‘Nice It Nice’; Kamau Georges (British Virgin Islands) one of the BVI’s most talented artist and producers; KB (Bahamas) one of the Bahamas most popular artist; Dudley (Bermuda) whose song ‘Bermudian Gal’ was a big radio hit and still enjoys radio play on Bermuda’s Hot 107.5’s; Aloe Blacc (Panamanian) whose song ‘I Need a Dollar’ is the theme song for the HBO hit show ‘How to Make it in America’; and Fae Simon (Carriacou and Jamaica), the UK’s upcoming artist. Producers who contributed to the project include Albert ‘Dvo’ Desilva (Guyana), Herbert Alexander (USVI), Kamau George (BVI), Max Tannone (USA) and several other talented Caribbean musicians.
In addition to the 12 full length songs on the album, there will be a bonus ‘Love the Mix’ CD produced by DJ Chigga featuring a variety of local Caribbean artist who submit their music on-line at www.ryffmusic.com.
The project will be distributed through Redeye distribution, the leading independent distributor for both physical and digital music around the world. Their retailers in the U.S. include chains such as Best Buy, Borders, f.y.e. and independent stores throughout the country. Redeye also exports records to Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia, and provides a digital distribution service that delivers content to iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody and many other digital music stores. Redeye currently distributes such labels as Daptone Records, Alive Records, Bella Union Records, Revelation Records and artist such as Widespread Panic, The Donnas, Sun Public Enemy and Au Revoir Simone.
The CD will be made available in stores and on-line during Caribbean Heritage Month this month, with a series of promotional activities taking place during Caribbean Week in New York.
Kevin Lyttle (St. Vincent & The Grenadines) - whose hit song ‘Turn Me On’ reached # 4 on the U.S. charts and # 2 on the UK charts, while his self titled album reached # 8 in the U.S. and was RIAA certified Gold; Dollarman (Grenada) who is the featured artist on the songs ‘Rock this Party’ and ‘Soundz of Freedom’ - both reached # 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart; and Lazo (Dominica) who won a Juno Award in 2000 for Best Reggae Recording for ‘Heart and Soul, are among a number of respected Caribbean musicians featured on a new compilation CD entitled ‘Love the Music’.
The project is the result of a strategic partnership between the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Ryff Music, with part of the proceeds going to the CTO scholarship programme, the CTO Foundation.
Also included in the line up are: Singing Melody (Jamaica) whose single ‘Want You Back’, reached #3 on the New York Reggae Top 30 and #1 on the Star Top 40; Natural Black (Guyana) who has had several hits including ‘Far From Reality’ and ‘Nice It Nice’; Kamau Georges (British Virgin Islands) one of the BVI’s most talented artist and producers; KB (Bahamas) one of the Bahamas most popular artist; Dudley (Bermuda) whose song ‘Bermudian Gal’ was a big radio hit and still enjoys radio play on Bermuda’s Hot 107.5’s; Aloe Blacc (Panamanian) whose song ‘I Need a Dollar’ is the theme song for the HBO hit show ‘How to Make it in America’; and Fae Simon (Carriacou and Jamaica), the UK’s upcoming artist. Producers who contributed to the project include Albert ‘Dvo’ Desilva (Guyana), Herbert Alexander (USVI), Kamau George (BVI), Max Tannone (USA) and several other talented Caribbean musicians.
In addition to the 12 full length songs on the album, there will be a bonus ‘Love the Mix’ CD produced by DJ Chigga featuring a variety of local Caribbean artist who submit their music on-line at www.ryffmusic.com.
The project will be distributed through Redeye distribution, the leading independent distributor for both physical and digital music around the world. Their retailers in the U.S. include chains such as Best Buy, Borders, f.y.e. and independent stores throughout the country. Redeye also exports records to Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia, and provides a digital distribution service that delivers content to iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody and many other digital music stores. Redeye currently distributes such labels as Daptone Records, Alive Records, Bella Union Records, Revelation Records and artist such as Widespread Panic, The Donnas, Sun Public Enemy and Au Revoir Simone.
The CD will be made available in stores and on-line during Caribbean Heritage Month this month, with a series of promotional activities taking place during Caribbean Week in New York.
CTO 2010 Travel Writer/Photographer of the Year Awards announced
NEW YORK, NY (June 14, 2010) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) today announced the winners of its 2010 Travel Writer/ Photographer of the Year awards.
Peter Jon Lindberg of Travel + Leisure was the Writer of the Year winning the Best in Show award for his piece entitled ‘Small Wonder: St. Lucia Redefines the Caribbean Vacation.” Lindberg’s article was also voted Best Feature Article in a Consumer Magazine – USA. The award for Best Photography – USA went to Bob Friel of Caribbean Travel + Life for his ‘Nature Meets Nurture’ photograph of a waterfall in Dominica.
The various winners received their awards today at a luncheon attended by Ministers, Commissioners and Directors of Tourism and senior tourism officials. The CTO Chairman, Hon. John Maginley presented the ‘Best in Show’ award to Lindberg, while the CTO Secretary General Hugh Riley presented the remaining awards.
The CTO Travel Writer/ Photographer of the Year awards are part of the CTO Worldwide Travel Writer/Photographer Awards Programme and was created to reward writers and photographers for their excellence in covering Caribbean tourism.
The following are the award categories and winners:
Best Feature Article in a Consumer Magazine - USA
Peter Jon Lindberg
Travel + Leisure
“Small Wonder: St. Lucia Redefines the Caribbean Vacation”
Best Feature Article in a Consumer Newspaper
Michael Nassar
NY Daily News
“Ultimate Caribbean: The New Yorker’s Guide to the Best of the Islands”
Best Feature Article in a Trade Publication
Joe Pike
Travel Agent
“The New Jamaica”
Best Photography -USA
Bob Friel
Caribbean Travel + Life
“Nature Meets Nurture”
Best Feature - Caribbean Media
Felicia Persaud
CaribbeanWorldNews.com
“Rastafarian Turns St. Maarten Hillside into Organic Farm”
Best Feature Broadcast - USA
ABC
“Scrubbs”
“My Soul on Fire” filmed in the Bahamas
Best in Show
Peter Jon Lindberg
Travel + Leisure
“Small Wonder: St. Lucia Redefines the Caribbean Vacation”
Peter Jon Lindberg of Travel + Leisure was the Writer of the Year winning the Best in Show award for his piece entitled ‘Small Wonder: St. Lucia Redefines the Caribbean Vacation.” Lindberg’s article was also voted Best Feature Article in a Consumer Magazine – USA. The award for Best Photography – USA went to Bob Friel of Caribbean Travel + Life for his ‘Nature Meets Nurture’ photograph of a waterfall in Dominica.
The various winners received their awards today at a luncheon attended by Ministers, Commissioners and Directors of Tourism and senior tourism officials. The CTO Chairman, Hon. John Maginley presented the ‘Best in Show’ award to Lindberg, while the CTO Secretary General Hugh Riley presented the remaining awards.
The CTO Travel Writer/ Photographer of the Year awards are part of the CTO Worldwide Travel Writer/Photographer Awards Programme and was created to reward writers and photographers for their excellence in covering Caribbean tourism.
The following are the award categories and winners:
Best Feature Article in a Consumer Magazine - USA
Peter Jon Lindberg
Travel + Leisure
“Small Wonder: St. Lucia Redefines the Caribbean Vacation”
Best Feature Article in a Consumer Newspaper
Michael Nassar
NY Daily News
“Ultimate Caribbean: The New Yorker’s Guide to the Best of the Islands”
Best Feature Article in a Trade Publication
Joe Pike
Travel Agent
“The New Jamaica”
Best Photography -USA
Bob Friel
Caribbean Travel + Life
“Nature Meets Nurture”
Best Feature - Caribbean Media
Felicia Persaud
CaribbeanWorldNews.com
“Rastafarian Turns St. Maarten Hillside into Organic Farm”
Best Feature Broadcast - USA
ABC
“Scrubbs”
“My Soul on Fire” filmed in the Bahamas
Best in Show
Peter Jon Lindberg
Travel + Leisure
“Small Wonder: St. Lucia Redefines the Caribbean Vacation”
Monday, May 31, 2010
Meka Monitor...tracking top tourism news in the month of May
1. Not good for business: Jamaica loses over US$300m in tourism revenue in wake of civil unrest as police search for alleged drug dealer
2. Jamaica tourist board pulls promotional ads temporarily as unrest makes worldwide headlines
3. In a snap: Trinidad and Tobago celebrates a new government after former Prime Minister calls a snap election and his party suffers a massive loss. Rupert Griffith is the new tourism minister.
4. Can we exhale?: The new coalition government in the UK reviews Airport Tax Duty
5. Roll the dice: Jamaica legalises casinos
6. Moving on up: Cuba on its way to becoming the number one tourism destination in the Caribbean
7. Hello?: Tourism slump in the Caribbean results in low revenues for Cable and Wireless
8. Rolling out the samba mat: Barbados woos Brazilians
9. Better and bigger: Alan Chastanet, St Lucia's tourism and travel minister, promises the 20th anniversary of St Lucia Jazz in 2011 would be memorable.
10.Big plans: Martinique's new tourism minister Karine Roy-Camille aims to increase visitor arrivals to 600,000 from just over 400,000 a year.
2. Jamaica tourist board pulls promotional ads temporarily as unrest makes worldwide headlines
3. In a snap: Trinidad and Tobago celebrates a new government after former Prime Minister calls a snap election and his party suffers a massive loss. Rupert Griffith is the new tourism minister.
4. Can we exhale?: The new coalition government in the UK reviews Airport Tax Duty
5. Roll the dice: Jamaica legalises casinos
6. Moving on up: Cuba on its way to becoming the number one tourism destination in the Caribbean
7. Hello?: Tourism slump in the Caribbean results in low revenues for Cable and Wireless
8. Rolling out the samba mat: Barbados woos Brazilians
9. Better and bigger: Alan Chastanet, St Lucia's tourism and travel minister, promises the 20th anniversary of St Lucia Jazz in 2011 would be memorable.
10.Big plans: Martinique's new tourism minister Karine Roy-Camille aims to increase visitor arrivals to 600,000 from just over 400,000 a year.
Martinique is Best Caribbean Destination
Martinique was the runaway winner in the recent ”Best Caribbean Destination” poll conducted by About.com’s Caribbean Travel site. The Isle of Flowers was the preferred choice of 38 per cent of the 3,800 voters, outpacing second place finishers Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis, each with 26 percent of the vote. Among the seven other finalists placing even further behind Martinique were such notables as Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, the Mexican Caribbean (Cancun, Cozumel, etc.), Costa Rica, Antigua and Barbuda and St Maarten/St Martin.
Muriel Wiltord, director Americas for the Martinique Promotion Bureau /CMT USA, commented on the survey results, stating: "This is a wonderful affirmation that our special brand of tourism product, characterised by intimate boutique hotels and emphasizing nature, a rich cultural heritage, romance, scuba diving and gastronomy is winning the hearts of US travelers.”
The About.com honour is the latest in a recent string of accolades for Martinique. In November 2009, Caribbean World Magazine named Martinique “Best Gourmet Island of the Year” for a second consecutive year. This followed an impressive win by Martinique in an October 2009 Caribbean Travel + Life Magazine survey asking readers to name their favorite Caribbean destination for delectable dining. Martinique garnered 43.3 per cent of the 807 votes cast over the course of the one-month survey period.
Muriel Wiltord, director Americas for the Martinique Promotion Bureau /CMT USA, commented on the survey results, stating: "This is a wonderful affirmation that our special brand of tourism product, characterised by intimate boutique hotels and emphasizing nature, a rich cultural heritage, romance, scuba diving and gastronomy is winning the hearts of US travelers.”
The About.com honour is the latest in a recent string of accolades for Martinique. In November 2009, Caribbean World Magazine named Martinique “Best Gourmet Island of the Year” for a second consecutive year. This followed an impressive win by Martinique in an October 2009 Caribbean Travel + Life Magazine survey asking readers to name their favorite Caribbean destination for delectable dining. Martinique garnered 43.3 per cent of the 807 votes cast over the course of the one-month survey period.
Quoting the Caribbean
This was received in my inbox from Marketplace Excellence, a full service, integrated mass communications agency committed to introducing excellence in the fields of public relations, marketing and media coaching. It's called Quotable Caribbean.
"I regret the entire affair and it has been deeply painful for me, members of my family and you who have been hurt and disappointed; in hindsight, the party should never have been involved in the way that it did, and I should never have allowed it, but I must express responsibility for it and express my remorse to the nation." - Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica ... on The "Dudus" Affair. (CMC)
"When you can earn US$800,000 for playing six weeks in the IPL (Indian Premier League), why waste six years trying to earn that sort of money in Test cricket? ... If this isn't controlled properly, Test cricket will die." - Jamaican Michael Holding, West Indies fast bowling cricket legend. (Barbados Nation)
"I think what we're going to try to do is take the best of what we've had over the past 20 years. So it's actually to sit down and review this particular (jazz) festival (and) look at the things that worked very very well." - Senator Allen Chastanet, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Saint Lucia ... on plans for next year's 20th anniversary of Saint Lucia Jazz. (Barbados Nation)
"With the tremendous success of the Fifth Summit of the Americas and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, both held in 2009, we know that Trinidad & Tobago has made an indelible mark on the international and regional business travel market." - Ernest Littles, President of the Tourism Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago.
"There is an entire generation known as 'Generation Y' for whom the internet, mobile connectivity and on-demand content are essential ... and CSN (The Caribbean Streaming Network) will feed their insatiable appetite for digital content, by providing immediately available content on-the go. Our products and services are geared towards providing the consumer access to the vibrant cultures as well as the various business, hospitality and entertainment services that the Caribbean has to offer." - Barbadian Andrew Jemmott, Chairman and CEO of The Caribbean Streaming Network.
"The Jamaican and Trinidadian governments have to be commended for recognising that airlines are in fact aerial highways which not only bring tourism dollars into the country but also lift the region's goods and services to the global market. Like terrestrial road systems and bridges, airlines are aerial highways and are, therefore, an integral part of the infrastructure and worthy of direct and sustained government investment." - Lelei LeLaulu, Chair of the Leadership Council of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at The George Washington University's School of Business; and Vice President of Caribbean Media Exchange. (Trinidad Express)
"What kind of man would live where there is no daring? I don't believe in taking foolish chances, but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all." - Charles A. Lindbergh, American aviator.
"I regret the entire affair and it has been deeply painful for me, members of my family and you who have been hurt and disappointed; in hindsight, the party should never have been involved in the way that it did, and I should never have allowed it, but I must express responsibility for it and express my remorse to the nation." - Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica ... on The "Dudus" Affair. (CMC)"When you can earn US$800,000 for playing six weeks in the IPL (Indian Premier League), why waste six years trying to earn that sort of money in Test cricket? ... If this isn't controlled properly, Test cricket will die." - Jamaican Michael Holding, West Indies fast bowling cricket legend. (Barbados Nation)
"I think what we're going to try to do is take the best of what we've had over the past 20 years. So it's actually to sit down and review this particular (jazz) festival (and) look at the things that worked very very well." - Senator Allen Chastanet, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Saint Lucia ... on plans for next year's 20th anniversary of Saint Lucia Jazz. (Barbados Nation)
"With the tremendous success of the Fifth Summit of the Americas and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, both held in 2009, we know that Trinidad & Tobago has made an indelible mark on the international and regional business travel market." - Ernest Littles, President of the Tourism Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago.
"There is an entire generation known as 'Generation Y' for whom the internet, mobile connectivity and on-demand content are essential ... and CSN (The Caribbean Streaming Network) will feed their insatiable appetite for digital content, by providing immediately available content on-the go. Our products and services are geared towards providing the consumer access to the vibrant cultures as well as the various business, hospitality and entertainment services that the Caribbean has to offer." - Barbadian Andrew Jemmott, Chairman and CEO of The Caribbean Streaming Network.
"The Jamaican and Trinidadian governments have to be commended for recognising that airlines are in fact aerial highways which not only bring tourism dollars into the country but also lift the region's goods and services to the global market. Like terrestrial road systems and bridges, airlines are aerial highways and are, therefore, an integral part of the infrastructure and worthy of direct and sustained government investment." - Lelei LeLaulu, Chair of the Leadership Council of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at The George Washington University's School of Business; and Vice President of Caribbean Media Exchange. (Trinidad Express)
"What kind of man would live where there is no daring? I don't believe in taking foolish chances, but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all." - Charles A. Lindbergh, American aviator.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Caribbean tourism betting on casinos
As I tweeted about the passing of the casino gambling bill in Jamaica earlier this week, I wondered how much of an impact casinos really have on tourism. Tourism, was, after all, one of the reasons given for the introduction of the bill which has been undergoing debate for almost a year.
Senator Arthur Williams, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, reminded Jamaicans that the Casino Act 2010 would expand their tourism product, increase earnings, generate employment and increase tax revenues. In short, it would provide a much needed economic boon.
Instead of allowing the wanton establishment of casinos all over the island, the Act cleverly allows casinos in the context of luxury integrated resort developments, of which casino gaming will be but one component. It is expected that these resorts will also provide other tourist attractions such as shopping, sports and service centres. The Act states that casino gaming should be no more than 20 per cent of the total investment in any such approved resort.
Casinos are not new to the Caribbean; islands such as the Bahamas, which is facing a challenge from the US where more and more states are legalising gaming, has had a long-established relationship with casinos.
However, in recent times, it seems more islands are latching on to the idea of gambling as a tourism revenue earner, possibly as a response to the drop in tourist arrivals experienced last year.
Guyana, for one, welcomed its first in-house casino in March when the Princess Hotel opened theirs under legislation which states that the issuance of casino premises licenses will be granted only to a new hotel or resort complex which has a minimum of 150 rooms allocated for accommodation.
President Bharath Jagdeo, who apparently finds gambling distasteful, said his government is allowing it as a way for investors in the hotel business to accelerate their profitability. He also said the number of casinos in the country will be limited and they will be strictly monitored.
Barbados, which my Internet research shows has only one casino, is currently working on legislation to allow cruise ships to open their casinos while docked on the island. This is all part of the government's attempt to develop the island's cruise tourism and a task force has been set up to look at how they could improve in that area.
So are all these countries on the right track in choosing casino gambling as a boost to their tourism product?
Moral and spiritual arguments aside, casino gambling can serve to help with the development of the tourism industry.
Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes explored this topic in a research paper on the question: How can casino gaming be used to maximise the benefits for tourism destinations?
The authors, Ki-Joon Back and John Bowen, argued that "casinos that target tourists maximise the benefits to their region's citizens and minimise gaming's negative effects. Las Vegas' transformation from a gaming destination into a meeting destination with gaming provides evidence of how gaming can support tourism."
They said a well-managed gaming operation, which provides a good value proposition to its target market, with fair government regulations and taxation, can produce good income. "We believe that a positive use of this income is to create amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment, and spas that can be used as a catalyst to attract both business tourism, in the form of meetings, and leisure tourism. These amenities can become profit centers in themselves; so, once created, they also provide a return on their investment."
Senator Arthur Williams, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, reminded Jamaicans that the Casino Act 2010 would expand their tourism product, increase earnings, generate employment and increase tax revenues. In short, it would provide a much needed economic boon.
Instead of allowing the wanton establishment of casinos all over the island, the Act cleverly allows casinos in the context of luxury integrated resort developments, of which casino gaming will be but one component. It is expected that these resorts will also provide other tourist attractions such as shopping, sports and service centres. The Act states that casino gaming should be no more than 20 per cent of the total investment in any such approved resort.
Casinos are not new to the Caribbean; islands such as the Bahamas, which is facing a challenge from the US where more and more states are legalising gaming, has had a long-established relationship with casinos.
However, in recent times, it seems more islands are latching on to the idea of gambling as a tourism revenue earner, possibly as a response to the drop in tourist arrivals experienced last year.
Guyana, for one, welcomed its first in-house casino in March when the Princess Hotel opened theirs under legislation which states that the issuance of casino premises licenses will be granted only to a new hotel or resort complex which has a minimum of 150 rooms allocated for accommodation.
President Bharath Jagdeo, who apparently finds gambling distasteful, said his government is allowing it as a way for investors in the hotel business to accelerate their profitability. He also said the number of casinos in the country will be limited and they will be strictly monitored.
Barbados, which my Internet research shows has only one casino, is currently working on legislation to allow cruise ships to open their casinos while docked on the island. This is all part of the government's attempt to develop the island's cruise tourism and a task force has been set up to look at how they could improve in that area.
So are all these countries on the right track in choosing casino gambling as a boost to their tourism product?
Moral and spiritual arguments aside, casino gambling can serve to help with the development of the tourism industry.
Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes explored this topic in a research paper on the question: How can casino gaming be used to maximise the benefits for tourism destinations?
The authors, Ki-Joon Back and John Bowen, argued that "casinos that target tourists maximise the benefits to their region's citizens and minimise gaming's negative effects. Las Vegas' transformation from a gaming destination into a meeting destination with gaming provides evidence of how gaming can support tourism."
They said a well-managed gaming operation, which provides a good value proposition to its target market, with fair government regulations and taxation, can produce good income. "We believe that a positive use of this income is to create amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment, and spas that can be used as a catalyst to attract both business tourism, in the form of meetings, and leisure tourism. These amenities can become profit centers in themselves; so, once created, they also provide a return on their investment."
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