The activities kick off on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 with award-winning environmentalist Rueben Thompson of the EPIC Foundation giving a tour and a presentation to the students and teachers of Sr. Borgia School.
In an attempt to get "locals to experience St. Maarten" as Mr. Gus Priest head of Product Development at the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau put it, several groups will participate in the 12-meter race, which is popular among tourists and also visit the seaside Nature Park in Cay Bay for an exciting horseback riding tour.
An island tour will also be organized for senior citizens on September 24th which will include a complementary lunch.
The theme of this year's World Tourism Day is "Tourism and Biodiversity".
"That is why we focused on the youth and the elderly," said Priest. "The youth will inherit the land, and the elderly still have a lot of wisdom to impart regarding our island's bio-diversity."
Priest disclosed that other activities planned include a Radio Quiz with "attractive prizes" that will be aired on September 27th on PJD-2 Radio Laser 101, PJD2, and Pearl FM. On that same day, Tanny & the Boys will be providing entertainment to welcome all visitors arriving at the Princess Juliana International Airport, who will also get a taste of the island's famed brew, Guavaberry.
The curtain will be drawn on this year's World Tourism Day with a gala dinner at which the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Awards will be announced. The dinner will be held at the Westin Resort.
"This is always the highlight of our celebrations of World Tourism Day," noted Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega. "This year's award as usual is being kept under wraps so that it will come as a complete surprise to the recipient."
