Canada and Cuba Demonstrate their Support for Sustainable EduTourism

Oct. 14, 2010 - PRLog -- October 14, 2010 HALIFAX -  Joining International attendees, a delegation of Canadian’s from the Education, Culture, Heritage, Environment and Tourism fields, will be demonstrating the strength and variety of the Canadian EduTourism market at the  CETA International Conference on Sustainable EduTourism.

At the event, being held in Havana Cuba, November 7-9, 2010 Canadian and Cuban experts will facilitate International participation to explore, inspire and consider the benefits that exist when Educationl,Cultural,Environment and Tourism/Hospitality sectors collaborate to identify and promote a region’s unique EduTourism offerings through collaborative opportunities.The Canadian Ambassador to Cuba, Honourable Matthew Levin will open the Conference.

Mr. Jose Manuel Bisbe, Commercial Director , Cuba Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR), expressed his support for the International Conference on Sustainable EduTourism and emphasized that Cuba continues to establish itself as more than a just a sun and sand destination. “A clear indicator of our strong(edu) tourism product is the fact that the number of tourists who visited Cuba in 2010 has increased over last year, while many other Countries are experiencing significant decreases in their tourism numbers

Another supporter of Sustainable Tourism is the Conference accommodations partner, the Spanish Hotelier, Sol Melia.  The Sol Melia operates more than 300 hotels in 30 countries and has become the first hotel company in the World to be certified by the prestigious Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI), supported by UNESCO, as a “Biosphere Hotel Company”.
Responsible / Sustainable Tourism is one of the strategic priorities defined by the UNWTO to guide the recovery of tourism; and in the words of Sol Melia, VP Sebastian Escarrer  [sustainable tourism measures] “are an essential route by which tourism destinations and companies may maximize the positive economic, social and cultural impact of tourism while also reducing as far as possible and negative environmental and social impact”.

Ms. Rosemary Toscani, Director of CareerQuest and English360 expressed, "Whether you're on a business trip or a much-needed vacation, you can heighten your cultural experience with EduTourism. As an EduTourist, you could learn a new language, make your business negotiations more effective with increased cultural understanding, or improve your confidence with new technologies. EduTourism benefits vacationers, companies, and the economy as a whole."

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CETA, the Canadian EduTourism Associates Cooperative Limited, is a not for profit organisation with the mandate of raising the International awareness of the social and economic importance of Sustainable EduTourism