Focuses on American and European tourist women in a transnational town in Atlantic Costa Rica renown for its intimate "vibe" and independent eco-oriented tourist development, where they grappled with the unexpected monetary aspects of intimate relations with Caribbean-Costa Rican men.
"Employment opportunities arise as actors, directors, production crews, electricians, drivers and props people, among many other persons, are needed. Add up those and the many other jobs on set, and you'll see how many persons are needed. Think about how many stories we have to tell in Jamaica. It would create employment for a lot of young people. It also provides international exposure for local actors and exposes Jamaican culture and heritage - that means more tourism exposure," said [Joan Edwards].
London New York: Cassell Distributed in North America by Monthly Review Press
Location:
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
220 p, The Caribbean has the fortune—and the misfortune—to be everyone's idea of a tropical paradise. Its sun, sand and scenery attract millions of visitors each year and make it a profitable destination for the world's fastest growing industry.
Talk to Richard Lue and it becomes clear that not nearly enough Caribbean people are heading `home'. Neither are enough African Americans trying to discover the Caribbean, although their connection with the culture has long been established in the U.S. That's why Lue was appointed Air Jamaica's regional manager for special markets in the southern U.S. Another Air Jamaica representative has been given similar responsibilities for the northern states. "It wasn't neglect," said Lue. "It just wasn't accountability. We've always been there. The problem was internally. We feel we can get more out of that (Caribbean) market." "To me it's no big deal," he said. "The problems in Jamaica are serious, but Jamaica has never been an easy sell. But it is a challenge. It is because of 9/11 that we realized we had to diversify our markets and give importance to all the markets. The challenge is there, but we just have to deliver."
* Friday, June 10 - The Rhythms of the Caribbean Ball, 7 p.m. to midnight at The Plaza Hotel New York. Hosted by NBC anchor Jenna Wolfe. A "barefoot" black tie affair. Tickets start at $350 and a portion of the proceeds go to finance scholarships to Caribbean nationals pursuing careers in tourism. The Caribbean Travel & Cultural Fair will take place 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 8 at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal. Admission is free. It will feature Caribbean performers and entertainers, as well as a Caribbean wedding organized in collaboration with the Global Bridal Group.
During the convention, the Department of Tourism will sponsor a special Founders' Reception at the African-American Museum, where the 44 men and women who gathered to form NABJ at a historic meeting on Dec. 12, 1975, in Washington, D.C, will be honored.
Connecting media workers and the hospitality industry of the Caribbean with communications professionals in the African-American community is expected to generate powerful synergies, as two productive, professional cultures enrich journalism and public relations in both geographic areas while simultaneously increasing African-American travel to the Caribbean region.
