CaribWorldNews, SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Fri. May 30, 2008: Three journalists were recently recognized in Puerto Rico for their outstanding contributions to sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean.
Counterpart International's Journalism Excellence Awards went to Cliodhna Doherty of the Cayman Free Press, Judy Fitzpatrick with the Daily Herald in St. Maarten and Susan Soltero with Univision Puerto Rico. The awards were presented at the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx)'s Awards Dinner at the Holiday Inn San Juan in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. CMEx was held from May 15 to 19, 2008.
`These three journalists are the headliners of the deep pool of reportorial talent serving the people of the Caribbean,` said Lelei LeLaulu, president of Counterpart International. `Their skill in covering sustainable development issues has benefited the people and environment of the region.`
The 12th full edition of the Caribbean Media Exchange - launched by Counterpart International in 2001 - attracted more than 100 reporters, editors, young people and development specialists who interacted face-to-face with representatives of the hospitality sector, civil society and government and explored the theme `Embracing the Diaspora: Connecting Communities.`
Winners of the highly anticipated talent competition were broadcaster Bobby Vieira of One Caribbean Radio in New York who stole the show with a special rendition of Barry Manilow's `I Write the Songs.` Also in winners' row were Nicaraguan journalist and dancer Adelayde Rivas, and poet Theo Chambers of Positive Tourism News in Jamaica. They won respective hotel stays at Puerto Rico's La Concha - A Renaissance Property, Almond Casuarina Beach Resort in Barbados and Coco Palm in St. Lucia.
The Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx), produced by Counterpart International and hosted by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, is supported by Almond Resorts, American Eagle/Executive Airlines, Association of Caribbean Media Workers, The Barbara Pyle Foundation, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Bay Gardens Resorts, Bermuda Department of Tourism, Black Entertainment Television (BET J), Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC), Caribbean World News Network, Choice Hotels International, Coco Resorts, Counterpart Caribbean, Harry Edwards Jewelers, Jamaica Tourist Board, La Concha - A Renaissance Resort, Mayberry Investments Ltd., Ruder Finn, SpeakEasy M.E.D.I.A., Spirit Airlines, Tourism Development Company Limited of Trinidad and Tobago, and the St. Lucia Tourist Board.
