HEALTH
OFFICIALS in the Bahamas have confirmed that there is no
longer a threat of malaria to travelers visiting Great Exuma in the
Out Islands, following an incubation period of 45 days with no new
cases identified. At this time, officials feel there is no longer a
need for special precautions when visiting Great Exuma. "We are
confident that this minor outbreak has been halted and that malaria
poses no further risk to residents or visitors," said Dr. Baldwin
Carey of the Bahamas Ministry of Health. The outbreak, first
reported on June 6, was limited to a "very defined area of the
capital of Georgetown, and the 19 cases were contacted in late May
by a pool of people who come from areas where malaria is endemic,"
according to Carey. The Ministry of Health, with assistance from
the Pan American Health Organization, began an aggressive program
on island to identify possible infections, treat where necessary
and eradicate environmental sources of the disease. Although the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not removed
its advisory regarding preventive measures from its Web site, "the
recommendations are temporary and we are confident that the CDC
will withdraw this in the near future," Carey said.
IN ADDITION
TO A $330 MILLION renovation of its international airports
in Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica's preparations for World Cup
Cricket in 2007 include an alliance between the government of
Jamaica and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co.'s Leadership Center to train
more than 1,000 airport employees in the hotel firm's legendary
service principles. "The Jamaican government and citizens warmly
welcomed our hotel [the Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose
Hall, Jamaica] into their country. We are pleased to offer our
support in taking the Jamaican tourist product to a new level of
excellence," said Simon Cooper, president and COO. The six-phase
training program will launch this month and run through November.
Dennis Morrison, chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, said that
"the airport is the first point of tangible contact visitors have
with the island, so we must ensure a warm welcome as soon as they
arrive."
ROLODEX: Maria Fowell has
been named new director of tourism for St. Lucia, replacing Peter
Hilary Modeste, who served in director's post for the past nine
years. Fowell formerly served as permanent secretary in the
Ministry of Tourism and, prior to that, as deputy director of the
St. Lucia Tourist Board.
PENCIL IT
IN
" September
Celebrations, Sept. 1 to 30, Belize. The annual festival will this
year mark the island's 25th anniversary of independence. New
events, competitions, theatrical productions and cultural exhibits
have been added to this year's lineup. For details, visit www.septembercelebrations.com.
" Gogo Worldwide
Vacations Learning Conference, Oct. 13 to 17, Renaissance Aruba
Resort & Casino, Oranjestad, Aruba. This is the second of two
learning conferences -- the first conference, set for Oct. 12 to
16, has sold out. For details, visit www.gogowwv.com.
Caribbean
Editor:
Gay Nagle
Myers
Phone: (201) 902-1591
[email protected]
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