A government official has underscored the importance of youth involvement in the tourism sector as the impetus to sustaining the industry and creating greater awareness about its importance.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner, made this assertion recently as she addressed a presentation ceremony where a cheque for US $3,000 was officially presented to the Combermere School.

The school copped first prize in the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association???s (FCCA) Essay Competition in the Senior Division, which was won by former student Yannic Boyce, now a student of Harrison College.

Senator Sandiford-Garner said the sector needed young people with ???fresh ideas??? to chart the way forward with competitive strategies and technological capabilities that would ???make our island Barbados a world class destination???.

She urged the students to: ???Remain focussed in your studies and plan early for your careers. The tourism sector will need your involvement now and well into the future.???

Senator Sandiford-Garner said Yannic did her country and school proud when she accepted her award at the opening ceremony of the FCCA Cruise Conference held in Cartagena, Colombia.

She stated: ???I read the essay and I must say it was well structured and touched every aspect of Barbadian culture and heritage and experiences that thousands of visitors enjoy each year when they visit our shores.???

The Parliamentary Secretary also extended congratulations on behalf of the Ministry to Azizi Alleyne, of the St. Michael School, for his outstanding essay that won first prize in the Junior Division.

She credited his parents and teachers for their guidance in helping him to become ???a well-rounded citizen of Barbados???.

julie.carrington@barbados.gov.bb

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