Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/37469
and business travelers, and in doing so, assist in the region’s economic recovery. I value their commitment to our city, and I will continue to work hard to support their efforts. This industry truly makes the City of Philadelphia a world- class travel destination.” Mayor Nutter attends many of the events participating in panel discussion put on by various organizations or extending a welcoming hand to convention attendees. As reported in this magazine earlier this year, the mayor was on hand to wel- come the National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ) back to the city where the organization was founded at a Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress (MAC). The NABJ event is slated for August 3 -7, 2011. GOVERNOR, THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Governor Patrick along with Lt. Governor Tim Murray, DEVAL PATRICK through the Massachusetts Office of Tourism (MOTT) has made promoting Massachusetts as a premiere multicultural destination one of the state’s top priorities. MOTT has created a multicultur- al page www.Massvacation.com to highlight multicultural events, fairs and festivals. It’s a site that encom- passes all the Commonwealth has the State Office of Minority and Women Owned Business Assistance to secure vendors for the Governor’s Conference and other campaigns. MOTT is an active participant in multicultural conferences that includes Blacks in Government (BIG) and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Boston is the host city for the National Urban League 2011 Conference and the Black Doll Convention and the Boule’ Conference in 2014. They embarked on targeted ad campaigns with multicul- tural publications such as Black Meetings and Tourism, The Bay State Banner – an African-American run Boston publica- tion and Exhale – a health and lifestyle magazine for women. DR., THE HONORABLE RUPERT T. GRIFFITH MINISTER OF TOURISM, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Dr. Griffith was first elected to Parliament in 1991 and has served in many leadership capacities within government ever since, including Speaker of the House. Today, Dr. Griffith is Minister of Tourism for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Among his many responsibilities as Minister is hotel development, tourism and provid- ing the vision for the Republic’s con- “I stand here today...proud to be part of a new Government, which is committed to effecting change; to offer across all race, eth- nic, gender and sexual ori- entation lines with a heavy dose of African-American themed year-round offer- ings to enjoy. Massachusetts is a state and indeed to making tourism an important platform, through which we will create sustainable that gets in when it comes to promoting diversity. While actively advocating diversity has obvious socie- tal benefits there are other rewards that make the Commonwealth a strong player in the tourism, hos- pitality and convention industry. “With $14.4 billion in economic impact, the travel and employment opportunities for all our people, create international relationships, and allow the world a taste of the finer things of Trinidad and Tobago.” tourism industry creates jobs and brings long-term benefits to the Commonwealth,” says Governor Patrick. “Our administration is finding innovative ways to promote Massachusetts to visitors everywhere as a premiere destina- tion rich in history, beautiful landscapes and wonderful cul- tural attractions.” On the meetings and conventions frontMOTT works with 46 tinued growth in tourism and hospitality in recent years. In a speech last June, Dr. Griffith highlighted part of that vision, “I stand here today...proud to be part of a new Government, which is committed to effecting change; and indeed to making tourism an impor- tant platform, through which we will create sus- tainable employment opportunities for all our people, create international relationships, and allow the world a taste of the finer things of Trinidad and Tobago.” According to the speech the tourism industry contributes $TT14.2 billion (approximately $2.1 billionUS) to Trinidad and Tobago’s total Gross Domestic Product and directly and indi- rectly provides 88,000 jobs. That’s a sizeable percentage of a country with a total population of just over 1.2 million. “I think we can all acknowledge that tourism in Trinidad and Tobago has not yet reached its true potential,” says Dr. Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com