New activities launched for Caribbean Week in NY

Exciting and unmatched new events, along with refreshed and improved familiar ones, are part of an enlivening programme of activities unveiled at the Caribbean's tourism development agency for one of the most culturally explosive weeks in New York City.

The Caribbean returns to America's most populous city from June 1-8 for its late spring event, Caribbean Week in New York, a week of activities showcasing the warmth, spirit and vibrancy that make the Caribbean the most desirable warm-weather destination.

A sensational holiday fair at which prospective travellers to the Caribbean can purchase special deals is among the new elements to the week which has become one of the most important events on the tourism calendar in the 'Big Apple'. The One Caribbean Vacation Marketplace will offer specially-priced Caribbean holidays and indigenous Caribbean products available only during Caribbean Week. Professional retail travel agents will close the sales in an environment that evokes the colours and energy of the Caribbean. The One Caribbean Vacation Marketplace takes place on Wednesday, June 5, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the New Yorker Hotel on 8th Avenue, New York.

Thrilling event

Another thrilling event on the programme is the Gospel Celebration which takes place on Saturday, June 1 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The programme will feature inspirational messages interspersed with gospel, dance and other performances by talented and accomplished Caribbean artistes. A number of well-known gospel performers, including Wendy Mitchell, have already confirmed their participation in this celebration of the region's unity and diversity by the Caribbean diaspora and friends of the Caribbean.

Caribbean Week in New York ends with its most exciting signature event, Rum & Rhythm, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, June 7 at the Tribeca 360 on 10 Desbrosses Street in New York. There, rum and food lovers will sample top-shelf, award-winning Caribbean rums and enjoy traditional Caribbean cuisine and rum-infused delicacies prepared by celebrity chefs from the Dutch, English, French and Spanish Caribbean. They'll also mix and mingle with celebrated Caribbean entertainers, rum aficionado and renowned Caribbean personalities at the quintessential Caribbean experience.

Other rousing activities on the Caribbean Week in New York calendar include the fascinating Students' Colloquium at which Caribbean students studying at the tertiary level present sustainable tourism projects that are practical and can provide a sustainable source of income for Caribbean nationals; the Caribbean Diaspora Forum, developed in collaboration with the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Caribbean Media Marketplace where CTO member governments and private sector exhibitors interact with leading journalists from trade and consumer press; and the Caribbean Marketing Conference & Awards Luncheon - organised by the CTO Allied members, where the latest cutting edge marketing trends are presented and people who have made significant contributions to the region's tourism development are recognised.

Caribbean Week in New York is sponsored by Belize, Jamaica and the Empire State Building. For the complete list of activities for Caribbean Week in New York and for information on how to participate, visit www.caribbeanweekny.com.