ATTENDANCE. Country/Organization. Government Committee Members. Mr. Corthwright Marshall 1st Vice Chairman. Antigua & Barbuda. St.

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF THE 53 RD MEETING OF THE CTO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, HELD AT THE HYATT REGENCY TRINIDAD HOTEL, PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2008 AT 8:00 A.M. ATTENDANCE Government Committee Members Mr. James Hepple Chairman Mr. Corthwright Marshall 1st Vice Chairman Ms. Carrole Guntley 2nd Vice Chairman Hon. Richard Skerritt 3 rd Vice Chairman Mr. William Joseph 4 th Vice Chairman Country/Organization St. Lucia Antigua & Barbuda Jamaica St. Kitts & Nevis Grenada Private Sector Committee Members Mr. Enrique De Marchena Kaluche CHTA Mr. Alec Sanguinetti CHTA Mrs. Michele Paige FCCA Mrs. Jacqueline Johnson Allied Member Mr. George de Mercado Airline Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Assoc. Absent Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Assoc. Fl. C bean Cruise Assoc. Jacqueline Johnson Assoc. Absent Air Jamaica CTO Staff Mr. Hugh Riley CTO Mr. Luther G. Miller Barbados Barbados Page 1

2 THE 53 RD MEETING OF THE CTO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO BE HELD AT THE HYATT REGENCY HOTEL, PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD SUNDAY 26 TH OCTOBER 2008 AT 8:00 A.M. 9:45 A.M. A G E N D A 1. Call to order 2. Roll Call 3. Confirmation of the Minutes of the 52 nd meeting of the Executive Committee, held on the 21 st June 2008, Washington DC 4. Matters Arising 5. CTO Financial Report Consideration and approval of the un-audited Financial Statements for the period ending June 30 th, 2008 Consideration and approval of the 2009 Operating and Capital Budgets, Dues assessment and associated financial schedule Consideration and approval of the 2009 Regional Marketing Fund Budget, Dues assessment and financial schedule 6. Any Other Business Page 2

3 1. CALL TO ORDER FOLLOW-UP The meeting was called to order at 8:15 a.m., following which a roll call was taken and a quorum was present. 2. CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE 52 ND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON JUNE 21, 2008 IN WASHINGTON D.C. USA The minutes of the 52 nd meeting of the Executive Committee were approved as circulated on motion moved and carried. 3. MATTERS ARISING The Secretary General (Ag.) informed the meeting that work was continuing jointly with CARICOM/COTED to progress the establishment of the Regional Marketing Fund, and that a meeting is planned for Wednesday between Ministers, and Commissioners of Tourism with the FCCA to discuss the cruise lines involvement in the funding mechanism, and their commitment to the fund. FCCA recommended that CTDC/CTO executives/technical officials should meet with the Cruise Lines marketing executives prior to the Wednesday meeting with Cruise Lines executives and CLIA, in an effort to determine from the Cruise Lines marketing personnel what marketing initiatives they would be interested in, and how best they can become involved in the Regional Marketing Fund programmes and its implementation. In response to a question on whether there will be a joint Marketing Conference during/around Marketplace, Mr. Sanguinetti (CHTA) responded that one was not planned for in CTO FINANCE REPORT 2009 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET The Director of Finance delivered his report, copies of which were circulated, which included the following: The proposed Operating and Capital Budget for the fiscal year 2009; The proposed schedule of Government Members Contribution for fiscal year 2009, in keeping with the existing dues contribution formula; The schedule of Government Contribution in Arrears; Page 3

4 FOLLOW-UP The schedule of the Regional Marketing Fund (RMF) Government Members Contributions for 2009; The schedule of the Regional Marketing Fund (RMF) Contributions in Arrears; The proposed 2009 Budget for the Governments of the Caribbean State Ball and Sustainable Tourism Conference. There was much discussion on the Financial Statements, and the financial implications of the following: The meeting noted the increase in the line item Salaries & Related Costs in the 2009 operating budget of $678,000, and suggested that this figure needs to be reconsidered in light of Governments current financial position and the declining economic environment challenging the world economies. The meeting mandated that: o No new positions or hires be entertained at the present time, other than additions that will generate significant additional revenues to offset the increased payroll cost. o The Secretary General (Ag.) reviewed the full operation costs of the organization, Headquarters, New York, and London, with an eye to identifying areas of cost savings in the key items of expenditure, namely, payroll, rents, travel etc., and to recommend to the Committee a plan to achieve the same. o The Secretary General (Ag.), following the review and identification of costs savings, re-present the 2009 proposed operating budget to the Committee at its next meeting scheduled to coincide with CHTA s Market Place, on or around the 15 th January 2009, in St. Lucia, for its final approval. The Executive Committee thereafter approved the Finance Report and Statements as presented. Approved the 2009 CTO Operating and Capital Budget at the 2008 level, requesting that it be resubmitted as amended for final approval at an Executive Committee Meeting to be held at or around Marketplace in St. Lucia on 15 th January Page 4

5 The Committee noted the member countries in arrears of dues to the Operating and Regional Marketing Fund (RMF) budgets. They once again suggested that stronger action should be taken against non-payers. FOLLOW-UP The Committee further noted the upcoming COTED (Tourism) meeting scheduled for Monday 27 th October, at which meeting CTO is to confirm the Cruise Lines and other Non-CARICOM CTO Members participation in the development of a Regional Marketing Fund. 5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS The Secretary General (Ag.) informed the meeting that there are a number of senior staff vacancies, including the position of Secretary General, and that he would report to the Committee on the progress in filling the positions. There being no other business, the meeting was terminated. CONFIRMED:. DATE:.... Page 5

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