BMNHAC,Caribbean Tourism / GHCasia join ICTP
Hawaii – The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) announced that the Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Commission in Chicago, Illinois, has joined the alliance as a destination member.
“This is our first member from the state of Illinois,” said ICTP Chairman Juergen T. Steinmetz, “We are pleased to have the Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Project as a new destination member, and are proud of the work they are doing to preserve and share the history and legacy of the Great Migration as a significant American Story.”
The Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Commission was incorporated in 2008. After more than 4 years of working with US Congressman Bobby Rush, House Resolution 5505 “to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of designating the study area as the Black Metropolis District National Heritage Area in the State of Illinois, and for other Purposes” was originally introduced into the United States House of Representatives on February 27, 2008.
Similarly, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has joined the alliance as a destination member.The representation of the Caribbean Tourism Organization is vast and includes: Anguilla, Antigua&Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Nevis, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, St. Barthelemy, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Vincent&the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad&Tobago, Turks&Caicos, US Virgin Islands, and Venezuela.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization exists to increase significantly the inclusion of the Caribbean region in the set of destinations being considered by travelers. CTO envisions the global recognition of the Caribbean as a growing set of places and experiences that people feel compelled to enjoy in their lifetime.
Its mission is to create and manage the partnerships necessary to increase the purchase of travel to and within the Caribbean that results in sustainable economic and social benefits for its people. The CTO, with headquarters in Barbados, comprises 32 member countries, including English, French, Spanish, and Dutch countries and territories, as well as private sector allied members. These include the Caribbean Hotel Association, companies, organizations, and persons providing products and services to the Caribbean tourism industry.
Likewise,Grebstad Hicks Communications (GHCasia) has joined as a Multi-regional Associate Member.“We are pleased to join ICTP and look forward to using this as a platform for promoting sustainable tourism for our clients,” said Dana Urmonas, General Manager, Singapore at GHCasia. Grebstad Hicks Communications is Asia’s leading and most dynamic boutique public relations agency specializing in travel, tourism, hospitality, property, and luxury lifestyle.The company was established in 1997 by Lynn Grebstad and Paul Hicks, and now employs around 40 PR professionals.
“GHCasia maintains close working relationships with major international airlines, hotel groups, and national tourist offices operating throughout the region,” said ICTP Chairman Juergen T. Steinmetz, “and they have an extensive database and network of key local and international contacts in the business, travel, and leisure world. The expertise and knowledge they bring to ICTP’s membership is invaluable.” Source – ICTP
