The minister was today (April 25th) addressing a one day seminar held under the theme "Sustainable Tourism Development and the Role of Local Communities - Lessons from Experience" sponsored by Tourism Intelligence International, a tourism consulting firm from Germany.

Minister Beache said the private sector should play a greater role in terms of how the sector is developed. He said a lot of times so many things are done only for the tourists or foreigners who visit the country and not the locals. According to him the Ministry has continually spoken about local tourism but it is something that has been taken for granted. "Local tourism is something we need to develop" he said.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has come a long way in the tourism sector but more needs to be done and there is need to form a closer relationship with the ministry of Tourism, government and the private sector the minister said. Tourism Intelligence International has recently won the bid to develop twenty-one tourist sites in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The seminar was facilitated by Joachim Associates and financed by Tourism Intelligence International. The feature speaker was Dr. Auliana Poon, Managing Director and Senior Partner of Tourism Intelligence International.