HOSTING the annual Caribbean Conference on sustainable tourism development  is timely, relevant, and critical to tourism, since Guyana is considered both the leading and the model sustainable tourism destination in the entire Caribbean. The foregoing observation was made Friday by Minister of Tourism, Industry & Commerce (ag), Irfaan Ali following the conclusion of the first Planning Committee meeting, held in the boardroom of the Ministry of Housing on Brickdam.
Minister Ali said Guyana is very excited, and is gearing up to host the most successful and best attended annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC), from April 15-18, 2012.         
Alluding to the advantages of the country’s leading participatory role in this initiative, Minister Ali said, “This conference will help to reinforce this fact; and delegates, policymakers, international tourism specialists, the international media and other tourism stakeholders will be wowed by the sustainable tourism practices and experiences, as well as by our biodiversity, diversity of attractions, wildlife, rich culture, and warm Guyanese hospitality.”
Prior to the start of STC-12, which was held in Bermuda from April 4-6, 2011, Guyana had offered to host this premier, one-of-a-kind annual conference focusing on sustainable business strategies and solutions that inspire change in the global tourism industry.
The ‘baton’, or the CTO Sustainable Tourism Mahogany Scroll, was officially passed on to Guyana at the conclusion of that conference.
Guyana had previously hosted a successful STC-4, from May 18-23, 2000; and that year, Guyana (Surama Eco Lodge & Village) had won the prestigious award jointly with Harrison’s Cave of Barbados.
“Delegates and the international media will get opportunity to visit this award-winning destination, among many other attractions, through study tours which will be organized by the host, Guyana.”  
STC is the Caribbean’s only conference focusing on sustainability in the tourism industry. It will assemble more than 300 tourism professionals and specialists, business leaders, international media, and stakeholders to discuss practical ideas and solutions to sustainability challenges facing the sector today.
The ultimate goal of the conference is to reinforce the role of tourism in building a more sustainable future for the travel industry, especially in the Caribbean – the world’s most tourism dependent region.
“We are thrilled to be hosting for the second time… Guyana is committed to sustainable tourism development and to a low carbon economy and lifestyle,” Minister Ali stated.
Various sponsorship and partnership opportunities are available to companies and organizations interested in being part of this premier industry conference.  
Further information on STC-13, including sponsorship opportunities, can be had at: www.guyana-tourism.com; or www.caribbeanstc.com/