Bahamas Junior Minister of Tourism Gabrielle Josephs is the first Bahamian to win the Caribbean Tourism Organization's (CTO) Tourism Youth Congress.
Josephs, a Mary Star of the Sea School student outperformed 14 students from around the region to claim the Caribbean Junior Minister of Tourism at the Congress in Barbados, last week. Along with the title, Josephs also received several prizes from CTO including a round trip ticket for two on Caribbean Airlines.
"I am truly honored and humbled to have been selected out of all of the outstanding students in the region. I now represent not only The Bahamas -- but the entire Caribbean as the voice of the youth on tourism matters. I take this new responsibility very seriously," said Josephs.
He spent months preparing for his topic "Flow Experiences" with the help of Samantha Cartwright, coordinator of Bahamas Ministry of Tourism's Jr. Minister of Tourism program.
His idea for creating his "Flow Experiences" for visitors to The Bahamas would allow them to immerse themselves in Bahamian culture and experiences of each island. During his presentation he said the best experiences are ones that intoxicate each of the senses, allowing people to transcend reality.
"The Taste of the Islands Experience provides that transcendence, that holistic sensation, that flow that will send any visitor back saying it is better in The Bahamas," said Josephs. He said visitors want a total experience -- seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling and tasting -- all of the wonderful things that a destination could offer.
Josephs "Taste of the Islands Experience" concept he described as a traditional theme park transformed into a multi-island adventure featuring the diversity of locales around the country.
The experience he said would begin at the Island Bazaar where they can indulge in the flavors of Bahamian delicacies like guava duff or gully wash, or learn to plait straw and use local shells to create souvenirs.
"The true flair of The Bahamas cannot be packaged in a box or wrapped with a bow. So I propose that we bring together the captivating dynamism of The Bahamas through the use of high-tech simulations. Imagine being made to feel like you're in one of Andros' blue holes with holographic fish swimming all around you. Then you're floating in Grand Bahama's massive cave system, the burial ground of the Lucayan Indians, [then] you're walking in a wide open field alongside thousands of flamingos in Inagua."
The junior tourism minister also spoke to riding a hydrovessel that would blast its rider through a visual adventure with imagery from Bahamian history projected onto the tube's walls -- British Army battling pirates at Fort Charlotte in the 18th century as Bahamian soldiers fought the enemy in World War II, as the first slaves paraded down Bay Street to the sounds of Junkanoo."
In addition to their chosen topic, students were also given a mystery question that aimed to test the students in three core areas -- research skills, expressing themselves clearly and thinking on their feet.
Josephs had one minute to formulate an answer to the statement: Choose a celebrity from the Caribbean and explain how he/she could be used to promote the region.
His response: "Rihanna doesn't just represent Bajan flavor. She represents Caribbean flavors -- the spice, the youth, the vibrancy. And in her songs, 'Work' especially, Rihanna calls back to Caribbean culture and spice, and [it's] high time we call back to her celebrity and exploit it for our destinations."
The Youth Congress where Caribbean students between 14 and 17 years old share their vision for the future direction of regional tourism has become one of the highlights of the conference in recent years. It's been one of the best-attended and most thought-provoking sessions of the week. It's where the students share their vision for the future and direction of regional tourism.
The Youth Congress is structured to mirror a CTO Board of Directors' Meeting with an agenda and topics on salient tourism issues.
Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said Josephs continues to represent The Bahamas well.
"I congratulate him for another outstanding performance [Josephs gave an impromptu speech that was well received at CTO's Caribbean Week in New York earlier in the year] and I am certain that many more Bahamian students will follow in his footsteps. He has indeed paved the way for young Bahamians wishing to make an impact on the tourism industry. We look forward to great things from him," said Wilchcombe.
Tourism Director General Joy Jibrilu was also impressed by Joseph's performance.
"This is the third time that I've seen Gabrielle in action, and he is a natural. We were already proud to call him our Jr. Minister of Tourism, and now we are proud to say that our Bahamian student is the Jr. Minister of the entire region. This is truly a remarkable accomplishment," said Jibrilu.
Josephs' win came just one day after Minister Wilchcombe was elected chairman of CTO and Jibrilu was named chairman of the CTO Board of Governors.
Shavaughn Moss, Guardian Lifestyles Editor
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