City of Toronto Proclaims December 5-10th Caribbean Week

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 5, 2011) - The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is pleased to announce that Mayor Rob Ford has issued an official proclamation recognizing December 5-10^th 2011 as Caribbean Week in the City of Toronto. Now in its fifth year, Caribbean Week is a celebration of the distinctive sights, sounds, food and culture of the Caribbean. Organized by the CTO, Caribbean Week brings together representatives from the Caribbean and Toronto to encourage Caribbean travel and tourism.

"We are thrilled that the City of Toronto has officially proclaimed this week, Caribbean Week in Toronto," said Sylma Brown-Bramble, CTO's director of marketing for the Americas. "Toronto is recognized worldwide for its multiculturalism and part of that stems from a large Caribbean Diaspora. Caribbean Week is an opportunity for us to celebrate the Caribbean cultural heritage, while also promoting the region as a travel destination that has something for travellers of all ages."

Public events:

The week will kick-off with a Caribbean Diaspora Forum: Re-Discovering Home on December 6^th. Held at the Novotel Toronto Centre, the forum will aim to inform and equip the Caribbean Diaspora to become influential "brand ambassadors" for increasing and inspiring tourism to the Caribbean.

For a taste of how the Caribbean celebrates, Torontonians are invited to attend Rum and Rhythm - A Celebration of Caribbean Culture on December 8^th at Andrew Richard Designs in downtown Toronto. For the first time, Rum and Rhythm will raise funds benefitting the CTO Foundation, which provides scholarship opportunities to Caribbean students in Hospitality and Tourism Management. The Ministry of Rum's Ed Hamilton will share his impressive knowledge of the "noble spirit," including the history and production of rum in the Caribbean, while top mixologist Trevor Burnett will showcase Caribbean cocktails made with award-winning rums.

For more information about Caribbean Week in Toronto and tickets to the Caribbean Diaspora Forum and Rum and Rhythm, please visit www.caribbeanweekcanada.com.

** Note - Interviews and photo opportunities are available with the following individuals:

• Hugh Riley, Secretary General of the CTO;
• Ministry of Rum's Ed Hamilton;
• Top mixologist Trevor Burnett;
• Award-winning chef Selwyn Richards;
• Steel pan performers, the Joy Lapps Trio; and
• Travel experts to the Caribbean.

About the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)

With headquarters in Barbados and marketing operations in New York and Toronto, the CTO is the Caribbean's tourism development agency and comprises membership of more than 30 governments and a countless number of private sector entities. The CTO's mission is to provide to and through its members, the services and information needed for the development of sustainable tourism for the economic and social benefit of the Caribbean people. The organization provides specialized support and technical assistance to member countries in the areas of marketing, human resource development, research and information technology, and sustainable development. CTO has offices in Barbados, New York and London. For more information about the CTO, please visit www.onecaribbean.org.